UST, NUNS lock in twice-to-beat advantage in HS Boys Volleyball

UAAP Season 87 Boys Volleyball Standings

*UST 13-1

*NUNS 12-2

*UE 11-3

FEU 7-7

ADU 7-7

x DLSZ 4-10

x Ateneo 2-12

x UPIS 0-14

*- Final Four

x - Eliminated

Games Wednesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre

9 a.m. – UST vs NUNS (Girls)

11 a.m. – AdU vs FEU-D (Girls)

1 p.m. – DLSZ vs Ateneo (Girls)

UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas and National University Nazareth School secured the twice-to-beat advantages in the Final Four of the UAAP Season 87 High School Boys' Volleyball Tournament after beating Adamson University and the University of the East, respectively, on Sunday at the Paco Arena in Manila. 

The Junior Golden Spikers ended the preliminaries as the top-seeded team with a 13-1 win-loss record, defeating the Baby Falcons in straight sets, 25-16, 25-23, 25-15.

Trailing by seven points in the third set, Christian Custodio tried to rally Adamson with a solid block on Rainier Lorayes, but Erick Perjes spoiled the Baby Falcons’ momentum with a quick attack.

Paolo Medino and Rainier Lorayes did the finishing touches for the Junior Golden Spikers, finishing the match in one hour and five minutes. 

Middle blocker Crisean Cruz shined for UST with 12 points, including seven attacks, three blocks, and two service aces, while Medino and John Paul Bautista also contributed 12 points apiece. 

"Yung intensity namin sa game medyo bumaba, kasi nga 'yung game namin last, sa NU is high intense talaga 'yung ginawa namin," said UST head coach Clarence Esteban.

"Medyo nag-light kami ng training dahil yung rigid training namin para duon sa gama namin sa NU is medyo binigatan namin, pero hindi maganda yung naging outcome kahit nanalo kami parang bumaba yung level nung intensity nung game namin ngayong araw na to," he added. 

Jims Ducusin led the Baby Falcons with nine points, all on attacks, and Christian Custodio with 8 points from six attacks and two blocks.

With their loss, Adamson’s final four hopes are in jeopardy as they currently share fourth place with Far Eastern University, which also holds a 7-7 win-loss card after they quashed the University of the Philippines in straight sets.

Tyler Ramos and Eldrielle Manlapaz propelled the Baby Tamaraws in their much-needed victory, forcing a playoff battle with the Baby Falcons for the last slot in the semi-finals. 

Ramos scored 14 points, including 11 attacks, while Manlapaz contributed 12 points off 10 attacks and two blocks throughout the match that lasted 51 minutes.

On the other hand, Marco Bamba led the Junior Fighting Maroons in their losing effort with 10 points, all of which came from his attacks. 

Meanwhile, the Bullpups also swept the Junior Warriors 25-23, 25-16, 25-21 during the one-hour and eight-minute match. 

After an intense first-set battle, UE had a complete meltdown in the second salvo, unable to dig and pass, while NU showed great confidence in their attacks.

The third frame started with a rotation error from the UE side, the Bullpups then pulled away in the set after a 9-1 run anchored on Xandrex Ragusta's blocks. 

UE was able to cut down the lead to two points courtesy of Lance Babon's three consecutive attacks and Mendoza's two attack errors. However, errors continued to plague the Junior Warriors, another attack error from Christian Antonio gave NU their twice-to-beat incentive in the Final Four. 

Yuan Mendoza powered the Bullpups past through UE with 22 massive points built on 19 attacks, one block, and two service aces.

"Well, happy ako dahil nagperform 'yung mga, reliever, I mean yung mga second stringers since 'yung mga first six namin is nasa injured list. So, hopefully magtuloy-tuloy 'yung performance nila," said NU head coach Edgar Barroga. 

Open hitter Christian Antonio stood out for UE, tallying 16 points built on 14 attacks.

After faltering against the Bullpups, the Junior Warriors are on a tougher road toward winning the crown as they move to the semifinals without the twice-to-beat advantage. 

The day ended with a match between De La Salle Zobel and Ateneo De Manila University, where the Junior Archers concluded their Season 87 campaign on a high note with a straight-set win against the Blue Eagles, 25-16, 25-19, 25-22.

Allan Sandrino led DLSZ with 10 points from six attacks, two blocks, and two service aces, while Mario Roxas and Alessandro Baligod also had six points apiece. 

In their loss, Ranidel De Ocampo Jr. shined for the Blue Eagles with nine points off three attacks, four blocks, and two service aces.