Adamson stuns National University, keeps flickering postseason hopes alive

c/o UAAP Media Team

UAAP Season 87 Women’s Volleyball Standings
Team W-L
*NU 9-2
DLSU 8-3
FEU 7-4
UST 7-4
UP 5-6
Ateneo 4-7
AdU 4-7
UE 0-11
*Final Four

Games on Wednesday at the Philsports Arena

9 a.m. - UE vs NU (Men)
11 a.m. - Ateneo vs FEU (Men)
1 p.m. - UE vs NU (Women)
3 p.m. - Ateneo vs FEU (Women)

Shaina Nitura continued to run the show for Adamson University, and this time, her 32-point explosion finally resulted in a timely win.

The Lady Falcons staved off elimination by staging a monstrous upset over the Alyssa Solomon-less National University Lady Bulldogs, 25-23, 15-25, 28-26, 25-22, to pump life to its dimming Final Four chances in the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Volleyball Tournament on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

This was Nitura’s second consecutive 30-point outing and fourth overall, after unleashing 36 points in a five-set defeat to University of Santo Tomas on Wednesday. It was also a bounce-back performance by the 20-year-old sensational rookie after being held to a season-low 13 points in their first round matchup against NU.

“We praise and thank God for the win kasi kapag will ni Lord no one can stop. I’m very proud sa mga bata ngayon kasi una pa lang pagsalang pa lang nila unang point pa lang alam ko na na maglalaro sila na gusto nilang manalo sa game na ito,” said Lady Falcons head coach JP Yude after the two-hour, 22-minute battle.

This victory marked Adamson’s first win over NU since March 23, 2019, a 25-15, 25-19, 25-22 first round decision in Season 81, ending an eight-match losing streak.

Adamson also stopped a two-game skid to improve its record to 4-7, tying Ateneo de Manila University for sixth to seventh spots. They are three games out of the fourth seed with three games left in their respective schedules.

And it all happened because of Nitura, now not a one-man show and ably backed up by her teammates.

In the tight third frame, Nitura took it upon herself to give Adamson the edge by hammering a crosscourt kill, then a sharp backrow hit for the 28-26 win and the 2-1 set advantage.

Then, in the fourth, with Nitura guarded, rookie setter Fhei Sagaysay turned to her other teammates

Tied at 20 all, Jen Villegas gave the Lady Falcons back the lead with a hit off an overreceived ball, and then Eloi Dote followed it up with a solid block on Bella Belen before Frances Mordi made it three straight points for them, 23-20.

Belen answered but Erin Pangilinan threw her service long to give Adamson the match point, 24-21.

Although the two-time MVP was able to get another point for the Lady Bulldogs, Mordi completed the upset with a hit that pierced through the blockers for the win that allowed the Lady Falcons to avoid elimination.

“Syempre pampaboost ng confidence ng team na maniwala pa sa sarili namin pare-pareho, hindi namin dapat maliitin yung sarili namin kasi alam namin na may ibubuga kami every game and God’s grace talaga na nanalo kami kasi nung last games namin medyo pababa na talaga ‘yung kumpyansa namin. ,” said Nitura, who made her 32 points on 30 spikes and two blocks along with 10 digs and six receptions.

Mordi added nine points while Mayang Nuique chipped in eight points as well with the Lady Falcons also benefitting off the Lady Bulldogs’ 27 errors.

Adamson looks to stay in contention on Saturday when it clashes with Far Eastern University at the Big Dome.

Meanwhile, the Final Four-bound NU slipped to 9-2, absorbing its second loss in the last three games. Its first loss came at the hands of University of the Philippines.

Belen led five Lady Bulldogs in double figures with 19 points to go with 21 excellent receptions and nine digs, while Alinsug added 16 points.

Chams Maaya delivered 12 points despite not playing in the first set while Erin Pangilinan contributed 10 points.

Arah Panique, who replaced Solomon in the starters, produced 10 points as well.

The 6-foot-2 Solomon, who had 30 points last game against FEU, was sidelined due to a mild left ankle sprain.

NU looks to regain its winning ways on Wednesday at the Philsports Arena when it takes on winless University of the East.

UP ends back-to-back skid with revenge triumph over Ateneo

c/o UAAP Media Team

UAAP Season 87 Baseball Standings

NU    6-1
DLSU    5-2
AdU    3-4
UP    3-4
UST    3-4
Ateneo    1-6

Games on Wednesday at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium, starting at 7am

AdU vs UST
UP vs NU*
DLSU vs Ateneo*
*Law of immediate succession

UNIVERSITY of the Philippines secured a crucial comeback victory in the UAAP Season 87 Baseball Tournament, defeating first-round tormentor Ateneo de Manila University, 11-7, Sunday at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium in Malate, Manila.

After suffering two disappointing losses to Adamson University and De La Salle University, the Fighting Maroons needed this win to improve their record to 3-4, placing them in a tie for third with Adamson and UST in the tight race for the Final Four.

The victory was fueled by a pivotal second inning, where the Fighting Maroons capitalized on the Blue Eagles' defensive mistakes and delivered timely hits, building a comfortable lead by the fourth inning.

Aaron Nicha drove in the tying run at 2-all, with LM Basañes scoring off his single to the left side. VJ Mangahas then extended the lead to three, 5-2, with a powerful hit to the middle of the field, bringing in Ian Mercado and Eman Javier. Nicha added another run on a passed ball that sent Razhley Santos home.

Santos was eventually retired with a fly ball caught by Juan Carlos Dela Rosa, but the damage was done as UP went on to score five more runs in the next two innings.

"Breaks of the game 'yon, nangyayari't nangyayari talaga; ang importante is ma-overcome nila 'yon. Do'n mo makikita 'yung team spirit, 'yung team effort. Hopefully, magtuluy-tuloy. Talagang ups and downs ang nangyayari sa team naming eh: may mga injury, may mga games na talagang (kinakapos); pero 'yun nga sana magtuluy-tuloy na ito at mas tumibat sila at sana mas maging smart maglaro," said first-year head coach Iking Jimenez.

("Those are the breaks of the game, it really happens; what's important is that they overcome it. That's where you can see the team spirit, the team effort. Hopefully, this will continue. Our team has really had its ups and downs: there have been injuries, there have been games where we really came up short; but hopefully, this will keep going, they’ll become stronger, and play smarter.)

Ateneo fought to claw back into the game, scoring in the next three innings and putting pressure on UP's pitcher, Kobe Torres, forcing him to make adjustments that could open up opportunities for the Blue Eagles.

Torres, a fifth-year Physical Education major, struggled briefly, issuing a walk to Matthew San Juan. Two straight hit-by-pitches to Alfonso Tueres and Dela Rosa led to two runs for Ateneo in the fourth inning.

Fortunately for the Fighting Maroons, not only did Torres hold his ground, but their defense also stepped up, retiring the last six batters they faced in the eighth and ninth innings.

For his efforts, Torres secured his second win of the season, going the distance without relief. He allowed the Blue Eagles four earned runs of their seven, surrendering six hits and four hit-by-pitches, while striking out four—his final one coming against Khristian Ferrolino to end the game.

"Sabi ko sa kanila is 'start string, finish strong' and, though, merong mga late inning kami na hindi naka-score, buti na lang may mga innings na maganda 'yung score namin. Kailangan hangga't kaya, score lang ng score, para 'pag dumating sa dulo na hirap na 'yung pitcher, tulad ngayon, may puhunan," added Jimenez, who also coached the De La Salle Zobel high school program.

("I told them, 'Start strong, finish strong,' and although we had some late innings where we didn't score, thankfully there were innings where we had good scores. The key is to keep scoring as much as possible, so when it comes down to the end and the pitcher is struggling, like now, we have a cushion.")

Ateneo dropped to a 1-6 record, putting them on the brink of elimination from Final Four contention despite a gallant performance from rookie pitcher Luis Atendido.

The freshman from PAREF Southridge School was also on a no-relief assignment, holding the Fighting Maroons scoreless from the fifth through the eighth innings after allowing 11 runs—six of them earned—in the first four.

FEU avenges first round defeat to UP

c/o UAAP Media Team

Games on Wednesday at the PhilSports Arena

9 a.m. - UE vs NU (Men)
11 a.m. - Ateneo vs FEU (Men)
1 p.m. - UE vs NU (Women)
3 p.m. - Ateneo vs FEU (Women)

Far Eastern University survived a thrilling fourth-set rally from their first-round shock tormentor University of the Philippines, clinching a 25-21, 25-16, 14-25, 26-24 victory to strengthen its position in the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Volleyball Final Four race, Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Lady Tamaraws erected an early 12-3 lead in the back-and-forth fourth set but the Fighting Maroons, through Kianne Olango’s attacks and Julia De Leon’s steady hands at the service line responded with a 17-4 fiery blast to even take a 20-16 advantage.

FEU retaliated, though, as Faida Bakanke, Chenie Tagaod, and Jazlyn Ellarina pushed their side to match point, 24-22.

UP, had one last run in them as Irah Jaboneta and Kassy Doering made back-to-back hits to force a 24 all tie, only for Olango to make a crucial attack error in the next play before Tin Ubaldo’s single block on Joan Monares sealed the deal.

“Para akong nanonood ng action tapos biglang drama, ang hirap para sa amin i-maintain ‘yung lead pero nakita ko ‘yung maturity ng players kung paano namin i-handle ‘yung behind four points. Very happy na nagkaroon kami ng ganoong turnout,” said FEU head coach Tina Salak.

("It felt like I was watching action, then suddenly drama. It was hard for us to maintain the lead, but I saw the maturity of the players in how we handled being behind by four points. I’m very happy with how the turnout turned out.")

The Lady Tamaraws elevated their record to 7-4, tying the UST Golden Tigresses for third and fourth spots. FEU, however, holds the tiebreak due to the win over the other rule.

This important victory that gave the NU Lady Bulldogs a Final Four ticket also pushed the fifth-running Fighting Maroons down to 5-6, two games behind the fourth spot.

UP extended the match to a fourth set after dominating the third, leading 19-8 due to the combined efforts of outside hitter Joan Monares and American middle blocker Kassy Doering.

But the Lady Tamaraws were not to incur another loss against the Fighting Maroons, just like their shock 23-25, 25-23, 25-17, 25-23 first round defeat.

“Syempre po sobrang important ng game ngayon kasi laging sinasabi sa amin na must-win game. Hindi naman sa naghahabol pero kailangan pa namin mas i-angat ‘yung standings namin,” said Tagaod, who made 14 points and 18 excellent receptions.

("Of course, this game is really important because we’re always told that it’s a must-win game. It's not that we’re chasing, but we still need to improve our standings.")

Bakanke, a Congolese opposite spiker, fired a game-high 20 points and seven digs, while Gerzel Petallo had an all-around brilliance of 14 points, 13 receptions, and 10 digs.

FEU will next face Ateneo de Manila University on Wednesday at the Philsports Arena.

Olango, Monares, and Jaboneta led the Fighting Maroons with 13 points each with the last player also tallying 14 receptions and nine digs.

UP aims to regain its confidence when it battles De La Salle University next Sunday still at the Big Dome.

La Salle doubles up Adamson to remain in solo second

c/o UAAP Media Team

Games on Wednesday at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium, starting at 7am

AdU vs UST
UP vs NU*
DLSU vs Ateneo*
*Law of immediate succession

DE LA SALLE University leaned on two massive offensive barrages to overpower Adamson University, 14-7, and notch its fifth win in the UAAP Season 87 Baseball Tournament, Sunday at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium in Malate, Manila.

The victory strengthened the Green Batters’ grip on second place with a 5-2 record—two games ahead of their victims, the Soaring Falcons, and the University of Santo Tomas Golden Sox, who are both at 3-4. De La Salle now trails only the league-leading National University Bulldogs (6-1).

Trailing 3-4 in the bottom of the fifth inning, the Green Batters erupted for six runs to seize a commanding 9-4 advantage. The rally was sparked by solid hitting from nearly the entire batting order, led by senior second baseman JR Alcontin, who drove in two runs to extend the lead to 7-4.

Rookie Barry Oñas padded the cushion with a two-run single to right field. John Mark Tupig mishandled the ball, allowing Pio Villamiel to score on the bases-loaded play, followed by another run from Alcontin.

The onslaught only ended when Adamson reliever Milko Go struck out Marco Flores to finally stop the bleeding.

“'Yon din ang bilin ko sa kanila—one game at a time. Importante 'tong game na 'to kasi ito 'yung mga part na kukuha kami ng panalo para ma-secure namin 'yung top four. So, ang sabi ko, walang magre-relax. Ang importante we treat each game like a championship game, so ando'n 'yung focus at drive to win nila," said long-time head coach Joseph Orillana.

(“That’s also what I reminded them—take it one game at a time. This game is important because it’s one of those wins that can help us secure a spot in the top four. So I told them, no one should relax. What’s important is we treat each game like a championship game, and that’s where their focus and drive to win came from.")

"It was good pitching and good defense, and of course, 'yung paluan talaga. Sabi ko kasi 'pag game, mag-focus on line drives. Do'n kami mananalo. Kasi depensa, 'pag malakas ang pitcher, anytime tatamaan, pero may depensa naman. Pero kailangang labanan talaga sa paluan," he added, emphasizing how De La Salle’s offensive discipline carried them back into the game.

(“It was good pitching and good defense, and of course, it was really about the hitting. I told them, during games, focus on hitting line drives. That’s where we’ll win. Because on defense, even if the pitcher is strong, hitters can still connect—but we have our defense. Still, we really have to fight through our offense.")

With the offense clicking, the pressure eased on relief pitchers Jasper Crisostomo and Yuan Sumague, who held Adamson to just two runs in the final three innings. Crisostomo picked up the win after allowing only one run on one hit in 2.1 innings of work. Sumague closed it out with 1.2 innings of one-run, one-hit pitching to earn the save.

De La Salle now turns its focus to a crucial matchup against Ateneo de Manila University on Wednesday in the day’s final game—a clash that could determine postseason fate. Orillana challenged his team to bring out the true character of La Salle baseball in the final stretch.

“Gusto ko paganahin nila kung paano maglaro 'yung La Salle. For how many years, andiyan na tayo na lumalaban sa ganiyan, so ipakita niyo 'yung pagiging beterano niyo at matilo niyo sa laro," said the Green Batters icon.

Despite the loss, rookie James Nisnisan delivered a solid performance for Adamson with two hits in four at-bats and an RBI, while Joao Sverino added two hits and two runs.

Dan Rommel Bacalla took the loss after surrendering De La Salle’s first five runs, putting his bullpen in a tough spot early in the game.

Although Milko Go eventually managed to cool off the Batters momentarily, the additional five-run burst in the seventh proved too much for the Soaring Falcons to overcome.

Linescores:
Team   1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
AdU    2 0 0 2 1 0 1 0 1 7 11 5
DLSU 0 0 3 0 6 0 5 0 x 14 12 8

NU secure postseason playoff in men's volleyball

c/o UAAP Media Team

UAAP Season 87 Men’s Volleyball Standings

Team W-L

*FEU 10-1
NU 9-2
UST 7-4
DLSU 7-4
Ateneo 6-5
UP 3-8
AdU 2-9
UE 0-11
*Final Four

Games on Wednesday at the Philsports Arena

9 a.m. - UE vs NU (Men)
11 a.m. - Ateneo vs FEU (Men)
1 p.m. - UE vs NU (Women)
3 p.m. - Ateneo vs FEU (Women)

National University made swift work of also-ran Adamson University, 25-17, 25-16, 25-15, to secure at least a playoff for a Final Four spot in the UAAP Season 87 Men’s Volleyball Tournament on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Bulldogs, four-time defending champions, raised their record to 9-2 with their third straight win, boosting their chances to reach the Final Four for a ninth straight season.

NU is two games above joint-third UST Golden Spikers and De La Salle Green Spikers at 7-4.

“Ito na siguro ‘yung hinihintay namin na sitwasyon na tumaas ‘yung percentage namin sa side-out kasi ‘yung pasa namin talagang nagiging problema namin mula simula, buti kanina gumanda ‘yung pasa namin kaya na-execute namin ‘yung gusto naming gawin sa loob ng court,” said NU head coach Dante Alinsunurin.

("This is probably the situation we've been waiting for, where our side-out percentage improved because our passing has really been a problem from the start. Thankfully, our passing improved earlier, so we were able to execute what we wanted to do on the court.")

The Soaring Falcons were sticking with the Bulldogs midway through the third, 12-14, but Michaelo Buddin, Leo Aringo, Obed Mukaba, and Leo Ordiales pushed NU to the victory after one hour and 21 minutes with a decisive 11-3 finisher.

This victory by NU was a statement after needing to execute a reverse sweep in its first-round encounter against Adamson, 20-25, 17-25, 25-18, 25-19, 15-12.

The Bulldogs can clinch a spot in the semifinals with a win over the hapless UE Red Warriors on Wednesday, 9 a.m., at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.

Buddin led NU with 16 points on 15-of-24 spikes and an ace, while Aringo chipped in 12 points, 12 excellent receptions, and five digs.

Ordiales, who had regained the starting opposite position in lieu of Jade Disquitado, added 11 point,s while Mukaba had nine points on 5-of-6 spikes, two blocks, and two aces.

“Personally, I’m very happy because my performance before was not as good as I was expecting but now, with the help of the coaches I’m trying to improve so now I’m very happy for me and the team,” said the Congolese middle blocker, who was the 1st Best Middle Blocker of Season 85.

On the other hand, the eliminated Soaring Falcons dropped to 2-9 at seventh.

Adamson looks to escape out of its three-game slump on Saturday against the league-leading Far Eastern University at the Big Dome.

Off-the-bench Joel Menor paced the Soaring Falcons with seven points while Leo Coguimbal and Marc Paulino had six points each.

Jude Aguilar was held to another personal season-low of just three points after being limited to four points last game against University of Santo Tomas.

NU formalizes Sampaloc Skirmish finals matchup in tennis

c/o UAAP Media Team

Ties on Wednesday at the Felicisimo Ampon Tennis Center:

7 a.m. - NU vs. UST (Women’s Finals Game 1)
2 p.m. - UST vs. NU (Men’s Finals Game 1)

FOR the first time since Season 81, National University is heading to the UAAP Season 87 Men’s Tennis Finals after defeating No. 3 seed University of the Philippines, 3-1, in a do-or-die Final Four match, Sunday at the Felicisimo Ampon Tennis Center in Manila.

Holding a twice-to-beat advantage, the Bulldogs bounced back from a narrow 2-3 loss on Saturday. They needed both ties to finally eliminate the Fighting Maroons and secure a spot in the championship round, where they will compete for their sixth overall men’s title in this tournament supported by Wilson Philippines.

“Sobrang happy namin na nakapasok kami sa finals. Kasi sa Final Four, twice-to-beat kami tapos natalo kami kahapon so sabi namin [sa players], ‘Laruin niyo lang ‘yung laro niyo’, kasi wala na eh, kumbaga do-or-die kailangan talagang gapangin,” said NU head coach Ronard Joven.

("We're really happy that we made it to the finals. In the Final Four, we had the twice-to-beat advantage, but we lost yesterday. So we told the players, 'Just play your game,' because there's no more tomorrow, it's do-or-die, we really had to push through.")

NU will face No. 1 seed and three-peat seeking University of Santo Tomas in the best-of-three championship series, which begins at 2 p.m. on Wednesday at the same venue. The women’s final will feature the same matchup, with NU and UST vying for the title earlier in the day at 7 a.m.

Tie 1 will also break the tie between the Bulldogs and the Male Tennisters this season as the eliminations ended with a split. NU won the first round to deal UST its first loss, 3-2, but the defending champions bagged the second-round meeting, 4-1.

Team captain EJ Tugade delivered when it mattered most, securing a nail-biting 7(11)-6(9), 4-6, 6-3 win over Miguel Iglupas in the third singles match to send the Bulldogs to the championship.

Andrei Padao led NU’s charge in the first singles match, dominating Aslan Carbonilla 6-0, 6-0 in a statement performance.

Loucas Fernandez breezed past Lazaro, dropping just three games on his way to a 6-3, 6-0 victory in the third singles match, giving the Fighting Maroons their only point.

In a hard-fought 6(5)-7(7), 6-4, 10-5 victory, Angil Balaoing and Christian Padilla battled through a grueling three-set match against Raymund Goco and Lance Fernandez, giving the Bulldogs a crucial 2-1 lead.

The second doubles match between NU’s Aljon Talatayod and Gab Bandoquillo, and UP’s Andrei Jarata and Karl Miguel, was later abandoned at 6-1, 5-5, with UP leading.

“So sabi ko, laro lang talaga sila tapos buti naman naniniwala sila sa sarili nila, sa kakayahan nila kasi hindi rin biro kalaban ‘yung UP kasi kumpleto din sila. So ngayon, swerte lang talaga ‘yung laban namin ngayon na nanalo kami. Kumbaga para sa amin talaga ‘yung laro na ‘to," added Joven.

("So I told them, just play their game, and thankfully they believed in themselves and their abilities because UP is no joke; they're also complete. So right now, we just got lucky in this match that we won. This game really meant a lot to us.")

FEU fends off UP upset bid

c/o UAAP Media Team

Games on Wednesday at the Philsports Arena

9 a.m. - UE vs NU (Men)
11 a.m. - Ateneo vs FEU (Men)
1 p.m. - UE vs NU (Women)
3 p.m. - Ateneo vs FEU (Women)

DRYX Saavedra rose to the occasion when it mattered the most.

With Far Eastern University on the ropes, the Season 86 Best Opposite Hitter exploded for 29 points as the Tamaraws denied the reverse sweep bid of the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, 25-19, 25-21, 20-25, 29-31, 15-12, to clinch the first Final Four ticket in the UAAP Season 87 Men's Volleyball Tournament, Sunday morning, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.

Reeling from a tough five-set loss to the National University Bulldogs last Sunday, the Tamaraws rebounded in thrilling fashion, improving to a 10-1 record to clinch the first postseason ticket in the eight-team field.

FEU will make its sixth consecutive Final Four appearance dating back to Season 79 and is now eyeing to secure a twice-to-beat bonus with three matches left in the eliminations.

The win also reaffirmed FEU's dominance over UP, clinching their 12th straight victory over the Fighting Maroons which started in Season 79 last March 1, 2017.

“Yung sinabi nga ni coach sa amin na kahit hindi pa naguumpisa yung game, dapat ready ka na kung ano ‘man mangyari. ‘Yon talaga palagi ko iniisip ‘eh. Kanina, naexperience ulit namin na kami yung naghahabol, pero buti na i-apply yung maturity na palagi namin sinasabi," Saavedra said, who scored 29 points with a 28-of-44 attack efficiency and one ace.

("What coach told us is that even if the game hasn’t started yet, you should already be ready for whatever may happen. That's really what I always keep in mind. Earlier, we experienced being the ones chasing the game, but thankfully, we were able to apply the maturity we've been talking about.")

Deadlocked at 10-all in the decisive fifth set, an off-the-block attack from Nigerian wing spiker Olayemi Raheem and a center line fault from Mikko Espartero sent UP to a crucial 12-10 advantage.

However, third-year setter Ariel Cacao activated the Tamaraws’ middle blockers at the perfect time as two quick hits by Charles Absin and Lirick Mendoza, along with an off-the-block attack from Saavedra, allowed FEU to regain a slim 13-12 cushion.

Eager to make up for a crucial error in the fifth set, Espartero redeemed himself in the clutch.

An out-of-system attack and a block from the 20-year-old outside hitter from Antique sealed the Tamaraws’ five-set heist of the Fighting Maroons.

“Maganda yung kapit ng bawat isa [in the fifth set]. Medyo all the way, naging lamang din [ang UP] ‘eh. Naghiwalay lang yata nung dulo na. Ang pinakamaganda lang sa nangyari sa amin is ready kami sa kung anong sitwasyon ‘man yung dumating at yung love ng bawat isa sa bawat isa, nandoon,” FEU head coach Eddieson Orcullo said.

("The team’s connection was great [in the fifth set]. UP had a lead for a while. I think it only separated at the end. The best part of what happened to us is that we were ready for whatever situation came, and the love for each other was there.")

Mendoza achieved 15 points on 13 attacks and two blocks, while Congolese middle blocker Doula Ndongala also scored 15 points on 12 attacks and three blocks.

Espartero added 16 points on 12 attacks, three blocks, and one ace with six excellent digs and six excellent receptions, while team captain Jelord Talisayan chipped in five points and 10 excellent receptions.

Cacao orchestrated the Tamaraws’ offense with 25 excellent sets with one ace, while rookie libero Vennie Ceballos shined with 29 excellent receptions and six excellent digs.

The Tamaraws look to boost their hunt for a twice-to-beat incentive when they clash against the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles on Wednesday, April 9, at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.

The loss, on the other hand, eliminated the Fighting Maroons from Final Four contention alongside the University of the East Red Warriors and the Adamson University Soaring Falcons, dropping to a 3-8 card to remain at sixth place. They will miss the postseason festivities for the sixth consecutive UAAP season, a drought that began in Season 79.

Raheem paced UP in the heartbreaking defeat with 25 points on 23 attacks, one block, and one ace, while rookie hitter Tommy Castrodes provided 17 points on 15 attacks with 19 excellent receptions and seven excellent digs.

Angelo Lipata added 11 points and 17 excellent receptions, while Angelo Aballe dished out 22 excellent sets in the losing effort.

UP will face De La Salle University next Sunday, April 13, at the same Cubao venue.