UST tops NUNS to be in cusp of twice-to-beat advantage

Boys’ Standings

*UST 12-1

*NUNS 11-2

*UE 11-2

AdU 7-6

FEU-D 6-7

DLSZ 3-10

Ateneo 2-11

UPIS 0-13

* Final Four

Girls' Games on Saturday at the Paco Arena

9:00 a.m. – UPIS vs. NUNS

11:00 a.m. – DLSZ vs. FEU-D

1:00 p.m. – UST vs. AdU

UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas bolstered its chances of a twice-to-beat advantage in the UAAP Season 87 High School Boys' Volleyball Tournament after completing an elimination round sweep of defending champion National University Nazareth School, 25-19, 25-18, 20-25, 25-22, on Wednesday at the Paco Arena in Manila.

The Bullpups took control early in the fourth set, building a 14-10 advantage off a three-point run.

UST, however, fought back as Joncriz Ayco delivered a powerful kill, followed by two attack errors from the Bullpups, leveling the score at 18-all.

After a tense exchange of points, UST’s Rainier Lorayes stepped up with a crucial attack to bring them to match point. Paolo Medino then sealed the victory with an off-the-block kill, giving the Junior Golden Spikers the statement win.

"Syempre, grateful kami na natalo namin ‘yung defending champions, then maganda ‘yung ginawa ng mga players namin. Siguro, very effective ‘yung ginawa namin na sistema ngayong araw na ‘to,” said UST head coach Clarence Esteban.

“Simula pa lang kasi sa… La Salle yata ‘yung kalaban, pinaghahandaan na namin ‘tong laban na ‘to. So kahit papaano, naging fruitful ‘yung ginawa naming paghihirap at sakripisyo doon sa training namin.”

Ayco's 17-point effort—14 attacks and three blocks—sparked the Junior Golden Spikers to victory in the match, which took an hour and 47 minutes. Lorayes followed with 15 points, while setter Jefferson Abalos recorded 19 excellent sets.

Xandrex Ragusta topscored for NUNS in the loss with 15 points.

UST improved to a 12-1 record, taking sole possession of the lead. Meanwhile, the Bullpups fell to 11-2, tying the UE Junior Warriors for second place, which ramped up their twice-to-beat chances with a 25-19, 25-23, 19-25, 25-22 triumph over the Adamson Baby Falcons earlier in the day.

The Junior Warriors pulled ahead to a 15-9 lead in the fourth set after three consecutive blocks from Christian Antonio, Clarence Gianan, and Buenaventura Limpin.

An attack from Aaron Ancheta put UE at match point, but back-to-back errors from the Junior Warriors, along with a block by Adamson's Nazarethe Reyes and an attack from Arvin Pon-an, closed the gap to three points. However, an attack error from Pon-an ultimately sealed UE's win.

"Focus kami more on doon sa weak part namin, like sa service. Hundred percent dapat maibigay namin, hindi tulad ngayon na papasok [tapos] hindi, papasok [tapos] hindi,” said UE head coach Herbert Dizon, emphasizing the team's need to address their weaknesses, particularly in service consistency.

“Doon siguro sa [next] game namin with NU, kailangan lahat ng gagawin namin tama and at the same time, syempre ayaw namin pakawalan ‘yung opportunity na makapasok doon sa twice-to-beat position,” he added, looking ahead to their next game, which is a finals rematch against reigning champion NUNS.

UE capitalized on Antonio’s stellar 16-point outing, 14 from attacks, in a match that spanned an hour and 26 minutes. Lance Babon, on the other hand, added 14 points, including 13 attacks.

Julian Dulay steered their offense seamlessly with 21 excellent sets.

Jims Ducusin led the Baby Falcons in the loss, finishing with 15 points.

The Junior Warriors advanced to an 11-2 record, while the Baby Falcons remained in fourth place with a 7-6 card -- just a game ahead of the FEU-D Baby Tamaraws, who cruised past De La Salle-Zobel in just 52 minutes, 25-18, 25-10, 25-9.

Zedrick Calimlim paved the way for the Baby Tamaraws, posting 16 points from 13 kills, one block, and two aces. Matching his output, Kenneth Maliwanag produced 16 points with 12 on attacks and three blocks.

Earlier, Ateneo De Manila University notched its second win of the season, completing a season sweep of University of the Philippines Integrated School with a hard-fought 25-15, 24-26, 25-12, 25-17 victory to remain in seventh place.

Ethan Rivera shone brightly for the Blue Eagles, tallying 19 points through 11 attacks, two blocks, and six aces in the match that stretched an hour and 27 minutes. Ken Nicolas chipped in with 10 points, while Ranidel De Ocampo Jr. contributed nine points.

Lucas Garcia orchestrated their offense smoothly, dishing out 13 excellent sets.

Marcos Bamba and James Gamon paced the Fighting Maroons in the loss with 14 and 13 points, respectively.

DLSZ stayed in sixth after slipping to 3-10, Ateneo moved to 2-11, while UPIS remained without a win, falling to 0-13.