UST overpowers Ateneo to kickstart girls' vball campaign

c/o UAAP

Games on Wednesday at the Paco Arena

9:00 a.m. – DLSZ vs. UE (Boys)

11:00 a.m. – AdU vs. Ateneo (Boys)

1:00 p.m. – UP vs. FEU (Girls)

3:00 p.m. – AdU vs. UST (Girls)

UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas wasted no time in overpowering Ateneo de Manila University, dominating with a swift 25-6, 25-14, 25-15 win to start their UAAP Season 87 High School Girls’ Volleyball campaign on Monday at the Adamson University Gym in Manila.

Despite the graduation of key players such as Marga Altea, Bien Arasan, Ysa Chua, and Abigail Sinson, the team now faces the challenge of rising to new roles.

“Medyo may kaunting nerbyos ‘yung mga ibang bagets, pero at least naka-experience sila ng UAAP. Pero mahaba pa ‘yung liga tapos marami pa kaming dapat ayusin,” said UST head coach Emilio “Kung Fu” Reyes.

“Actually ‘yung adjustment, from day one noong nag-start ulit kami ng training after ng season last year, doon na ‘yung adjustment and [ito na lang] ‘yung experience ng mga games kasi nga from the bench players, sila na ‘yung mga frontliner namin ngayon,” Reyes explained.

“Day one pa lang ng UAAP namin, ‘yung laro, so mahaba ‘yung adjustment na puwedeng gawin tsaka ‘yung gelling nila, araw-araw naman ginagawa especially during training.”

Leading two sets to none, UST’s rookies came out strong in the final frame, quickly establishing a commanding 10-point lead courtesy of a 7-0 run fueled by powerful attacks from Marianne Panisales and Jezrel Silvestre.

A decisive three-point run, capped by an ace from Silvestre, extended their lead to a game-high 12 points. Although three consecutive errors allowed DLSZ to close the gap to 10 points at 19-9, UST continued to hold their ground.

A service error by Nicola Ladignon set up match point for the Junior Golden Tigresses, and Silvestre sealed the victory with another ace, finishing the match 25-15.

Alas Pilipinas Girls U18 standout Kim Rubin dominated with 14 points, including nine service aces, and five kills, while Avril Bron backed her up with eight points.

Rian Ardidon led the Blue Eagles with four points.

The straight-set romp gave UST a needed confidence booster heading into Wednesday's match-up with defending champion Adamson University.

The Baby Falcons, who are now without last season's MVP Shai Nitura who moved to college, drew a bye.

Last season’s fourth-placers, Far Eastern University-Diliman, launched their girls' campaign with a dominant 25-11, 25-14, 25-23 sweep of De La Salle-Zobel.

With the departure of key players in Clarisse Loresco and Love Lopez, the team is grappling with a notable gap in their blocking and defense.

“Malaki talagang kawalan, lalo na ngayon sa blockings namin kasi medyo lumiit ‘yung lineup namin compared to last year. ‘Yung last year kasi talagang matatangkad, talagang nakaka-block, kaya more on dine-develop pa namin ‘yung blockings namin,” said new FEU-D head coach Joanne Bunag.

“Doon kami muna naka-focus tsaka sa defense kasi ‘yun din ‘yung nagkulang sa amin last year. Kumbaga, mayroon kaming palo pero ‘yung depensa namin, doon kami nagkulang,” she added.

The Baby Lady Tamaraws took an early advantage in the third set with a three-point surge, including an attack from Sheila Pascual and an ace from rookie Althea Garavillas, putting them ahead 5-2.

The Junior Lady Spikers responded with a block from Azalia Arado that sparked a five-point run, allowing them to take the lead at 10-7 and forcing Coach Nunag to call a timeout.

DLSZ then committed four consecutive errors, enabling the FEU-D to level the score at 16.

The Baby Lady Tamaraws then regained control with three straight points, including another attack from Pascual and an ace from Raine Alonzo, pushing ahead 21-19.

The set remained closely contested as both teams exchanged two-point runs. Aleah Devosora's off-the-block kill brought FEU-D to match point, and an attack error from Kylie Celada sealed the victory for the Baby Lady Tamaraws, 25-23.

Pascual led the charge with 14 points off of 14 kills, while Devosora and Alonzo contributed 12 and 10 points, respectively.

Aislinn Alemañia stood out for DLSZ with eight points including seven attacks and an ace.

In the boys’ matches, De La Salle-Zobel earned their first win of the season, dispatching Ateneo de Manila University in three sets, 25-13, 25-21, 25-19.

In a gripping third set, the Junior Spikers and the Blue Eagles were locked in a fierce battle with the score tied four times. DLSZ eventually gained momentum, leading 11-7 after a five-point streak that saw Mario Roxas score back-to-back kills and a service ace.

A string of errors allowed Ateneo to even the score at 11. However, DLSZ then overcame the deadlock with a six-point surge, exploiting the Blue Eagles’ errors to take a 19-15 lead.

After a brief exchange of points, Gian Diaz's crosscourt hit placed the Junior Spikers at match point. Roxas then delivered the final blow, closing out the match with a 25-19 win.

Roxas led the Junior Spikers with 14 points, including 13 attacks. Returning setter and team captain Jarrett Failana dished out seven excellent sets and six service aces.

Meanwhile, Adamson University delivered a resounding 25-14, 25-16, 25-6 sweep over University of the Philippines Integrated School to begin their campaign.

The trio of Jims Ducusin, Brice Malinao, and Kirk Partosa all delivered strong performances, each scoring nine points. Ducusin and Partosa recorded eight kills apiece, while Malinao scored three service aces.

Team captain Marcus Bamba emerged as the top scorer for UPIS, scoring eight points off six kills and two aces.