UST, NUNS set up Boys Volleyball Finals matchup

c/o UAAP

TOP-SEEDED University of Santo Tomas and National University Nazareth School will face off in the UAAP Season 87 High School Boys' Volleyball Finals after contrasting wins in the Final Four on Saturday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.

The Junior Golden Spikers, the number one seed, overcame a challenge from the Adamson Baby Falcons in the third set to complete a 25-15, 25-19, 25-23 sweep in just one hour and eight minutes.

Meanwhile, defending champions Bullpups edged out Season 86 Finals rivals University of the East Junior Warriors in a thrilling two-hour marathon, 19-25, 27-29, 25-23, 25-22, 20-18, securing a chance to defend their title.

Game 1 of the Finals is set for Wednesday, December 4, at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion Arena, with the first serve time to be announced on Sunday.

In their elimination-round encounters, the Bullpups lost both matches to the Junior Golden Spikers.

For UST head coach Aying Esteban, the team's growth this season compared to last year is a positive sign for the future.

"Yung mga players ko rin talaga ‘yung nag-improve. ‘Yung sistema na pinasok namin is na-adapt lang nila nang na-adapt; kaya ‘yung mga players talaga nagtrabaho this season,” Esteban said.

“Malaking bagay talaga na meron ka nang legit na setter na makakapag-perform nang maayos. Tsaka ‘yung pag-adjust namin sa spiking namin, talaga pinilit namin ‘yung sistema na ‘yun,” he added.

On the other hand, the Bullpups' quest for back-to-back titles was marred by challenges.

“From the very first game talagang nag-wo-worry na ko kasi sa health ng mga bata. Marami kaming players na injured, tapos may mga players kami na hindi na nagtuloy. Kulang talaga kami sa tao. Very lucky kami na nakuha namin ‘tong laro na ‘to, at umabot sa Finals,” said NUNS head coach Edgar Barroga.

Reigning MVP Jancriz Ayco played a key role in UST's victory, turning a 21-all deadlock into a third-set win.

He executed a booming spike to give his team match point, then fired a well-delivered serve that Adamson could not return.

Ayco finished with 12 points, while three other Junior Golden Spikers reached double digits: Sean Cruz (13 points), John Paul Bautista (12), and Paolo Medino (10 points).

Medino also contributed four digs and 11 excellent receptions, while setter Jeff Abalos provided 13 excellent sets.

Adamson's Jims Ducusin led the Baby Falcons with a match-high 16 points, while last season’s Rookie of the Year Jhon Guevarra added five digs and seven excellent receptions.

In the other semifinal, team captain Migs Egger and Matthew Abut helped NUNS overcome UE in a five-set thriller. Egger’s three consecutive blocks at 13-11 put the Bullpups in the lead, while Abut’s clutch kills sent NUNS to match point at 19-18.

Egger, the Season 86 Best Middle Blocker, closed out the game with a final rejection of UE's center attacker, Buen Limpin.

"Naghanap talaga ko ng paraan para ma-uplift sila, kasi nung first and second set sobrang down po sila. Hindi po sila maka-diskarte nang maayos, hindi sila maka-galaw nang maayos. Kaya ginawan ko po talaga ng paraan para buo po kaming lumaban," said Egger, who finished with 22 points, including 15 attacks, six blocks, and one service ace.

Abut chipped in 16 markers, including two key service aces in the second set, and finishing kills in the fifth set.

Yuan Mendoza led the Bullpups with 19 points, all coming from attacks. Jake Briones anchored the defense with 23 digs and 28 excellent receptions.

UE's Christian Antonio delivered a game-high 29 points, 26 of them from attacks, while Gian Flestado added 18 points.

Lance Babon also contributed 19 points along with seven digs and 22 excellent receptions.

The Junior Warriors settled for the bronze medal, while the Baby Falcons finished fourth.