By: Justine Anne Gaerlan
Back-to-back champion National University-Nazareth School launched its ‘three-peat’ bid with a four-set victory over last season’s bronze medalists Adamson University, 25-14, 29-31, 25-17, 25-17, in the UAAP Season 89 High School Girls’ Volleyball Tournament on Thursday at the Paco Arena Events and Sports Center in Manila.
The Lady Bullpups bring added international experience into the new season, with Jhaynna Bulandres and rookies Xyz Rayco, Irish Mahinay, and Frances Ramos all coming off the Philippines’ historic 15th-place finish at the 2026 FIVB Girls’ U17 World Championship.
Fifteen-year-old rookie Rayco wasted little time making her presence felt as the Nasipit, Agusan del Norte native paced the two-time defending champions with 20 points, built on 14 attacks, two blocks, and four aces. She also collected 14 digs for the Bullpups.
Season 88 Rookie of the Year Bulandres followed with 14 points on 12 attacks, a block, and an ace. Micaella Gould orchestrated the offense with 24 excellent sets to go with two aces, while libero Ghenievib Belen anchored the defense with 13 digs in the hour-and-41-minute affair.
After a back-and-forth battle in the fourth set, NUNS pulled away with its biggest lead of the frame at 22-16, closing a 6-2 run with a Bulandres block as the Lady Baby Falcons committed a string of attack errors.
Former FEU-D team captain Raine Alonzo then sent the Lady Bullpups to match point with a kill before former UST skipper Jaila Adrao sealed the victory with an attack.
“Siyempre maraming expectations lalo na ngayon siguro sa mga new players namin. Para sa amin kasi, panibagong season, every team may opportunity eh. Kailangan naming pagbutihin pa. Dami pa naming mga lapses na ico-correct namin,” said NUNS head coach Karl Dimaculangan.
“Tingin ko, mas mataas ‘yung expectations sa team ngayon, knowing na may mga recruits and mga preseason tournaments na nakuha namin, pero ni-remind ko nga sa players, iba ang UAAP, so kailangan mas maging ready pa kami, lalo na sa mga susunod na laro.”
Ella Gonzalvo, also an Alas Girls standout, topscored for Adamson in the loss with 21 points, including 18 attacks and three aces.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
Earlier, De La Salle Zobel opened its campaign with a 25-21, 25-14, 25-16 sweep of Ateneo de Manila University as it looks to build on last season’s fifth-place finish.
“Siguro ngayon kailangan lang talaga maging composed. ‘Yung composure talaga namin kailangan i-improve kasi this is a very young team compared to last year. Maraming nawala na key players samin last year so rebuilding yung team namin; that’s why dinadahan-dahan namin. Gina-guide talaga namin ‘yung mga bata sa mga dapat gawin,” said DLSZ head coach Jeremiah Monreal.
The rebuilding process comes after the departure of several key players from last season, including Season 88 Best Setter Sabine Valdez and Season 87 Best Libero Angel Cenizal.
After weathering a tight opening set, the Junior Lady Spikers found their footing and pulled away in the next two frames. Trailing 8-6 in the final set, DLSZ erupted for a 10-2 run, capitalizing on Ateneo’s miscues and timely attacks from Sofia Inandan.
The Junior Lady Spikers never looked back, taking their biggest lead at 24-15 after Naihma Banal’s attack error. A service error from Aislinn Alemaña handed the Blue Eagles another point, but Kylie Celada quickly put an end to the match with a cross-court kill.
The Junior Lady Spikers found their offensive spark through Inandan, who delivered an all-around performance with 16 points, including 10 attacks, four aces, and two blocks. Alemaña followed with 11 points, all from attacks, in the 65-minute match.
Zofia Limpot threaded together 16 excellent sets to keep DLSZ’s attack in motion, while Angela Mendoza anchored the defense with nine digs and eight excellent receptions on 15 attempts.
Jhenica Sadia paced Ateneo in the loss with 15 points on 11 attacks, two blocks, and two aces.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
In the other match, University of the Philippines Integrated School held its nerve late to dispatch University of the East, 25-15, 23-25, 25-17, 25-21, and secure its first victory of Season 89.
The fourth set went down to the wire, with UPIS and UE deadlocked at 21-all. The Junior Fighting Maroons then strung together four of the next five points, first capitalizing on a pair of UE miscues before Niña Abad hammered an attack to keep the momentum on their side.
Reesseailyn Roxas’ attack error handed UPIS match point, and Abad made sure there would be no fifth set by firing an ace to close out the victory.
Abad powered UPIS on both ends of the floor, leading all scorers with 22 points on 14 attacks and a match-high eight aces while adding 11 digs. Elisha Capus followed with 13 points, including 10 attacks and three aces, while also contributing 19 digs.
