UAAP: NUNS girls overwhelm Adamson, stay undefeated

The NUNS girls’ volleyball team in the UAAP Season 89 girls’ volleyball tournament. UAAP MediaMANILA — National University-Nazareth School on Friday extended its unbeaten streak in the UAAP Season 89 girls’ volleyball tournament after making quick work of Adamson University, 25-11, 25-10, 25-9, at the Paco Arena Events and Sports Center in Manila.

The defending champions improved to 8-0, while the Lady Baby Falcons absorbed their second consecutive loss to drop to 5-3. They remain tied with Far Eastern University-Diliman for a share of third in the league standings.

NUNS opened the third set on a 6-1 run, highlighted by consecutive attacks from Jhaynna Bulandres and Deborah Olatunji. They maintained control all throughout, with Bulandres putting the match away on a kill.

The Lady Bullpups have surrendered just one set this season but head coach Karl Dimaculangan says they cannot look too far ahead.

“One game at a time lang kasi ayaw naming isipin kung unbeaten kami, sino yung next opponent namin. So, so far, ‘yun ang mindset namin kasi ang goal naman namin is championship talaga,” said Dimaculangan. “‘Yun lang muna ang iri-remind ko sa mga player para stay grounded lang.”

Bulandres led NU-Nazareth’s offense with 13 points on 10-of-21 attacks, two blocks, and an ace. Xyz Rayco chipped in nine points, while Raine Alonzo added eight to support the Lady Bullpups’ offensive output.

Micaella Gould also tallied 17 excellent sets to keep the offense running, while Ghenievib Belen collected 10 digs.

Ellaine Gonzalvo paced Adamson with 10 points, including nine attacks and a block, while adding nine digs in the loss.

The FEU-Diliman girls’ volleyball team in the UAAP Season 89 girls’ volleyball tournament. UAAP MediaEarlier, Far Eastern University-Diliman opened the second round by exacting revenge on first-round tormentor University of Santo Tomas, 25-23, 25-21, 24-26, 25-20, to improve to 5-3 and move into a tie for third place.

The Junior Golden Tigresses slipped to 6-2 but held on to second place despite having their four-game winning streak snapped.

FEU-D pulled away late in the fourth set with a 4-1 run to take a 23-18 lead, capped by back-to-back kills from MJ Udeagbala. UST’s Megan Hernandez answered with an attack, while an attack error from the Lady Baby Tamaraws trimmed the deficit further. However, Bernadine Boston scored a block to put FEU-D at match point before Aiumi Oso delivered another block to seal the victory.

FEU-D found its scoring spark in Udeagbala, who had 22 attacks and tallied four blocks and an ace for a match-high 27 points. Alexa Amana chipped in 18 points on 15 attacks and three blocks.

Emile Guivani handled the playmaking duties with 24 excellent sets while adding three attacks and two aces for five points. Querstine Paragas, meanwhile, came up with 14 digs and 12 excellent receptions on 24 attempts to bolster the Lady Baby Tamaraws’ floor defense in the hour-and-43-minute encounter.

Nicole Pelaez led UST with 16 points on 14 attacks and two aces in the loss.

Meanwhile, De La Salle Zobel and Ateneo de Manila University carried their momentum into the second round, scoring victories to open their campaigns.

The Junior Lady Spikers swept University of the Philippines Integrated School, 25-20, 25-20, 25-19, while the Blue Eagles kept the University of the East at bay in four sets, 25-20, 20-25, 25-14, 25-23.

Kylie Celada of La Salle-Zobel in the UAAP Season 89 girls’ volleyball tournament. UAAP MediaKylie Celada led De La Salle Zobel’s offense with 10 points on eight attacks and two aces to help the Junior Lady Spikers even their record at 4-4. Aislinn Alemaña added eight points, while Sofia Inandan chipped in six.

Zofia Limpot recorded 10 excellent sets for DLSZ, with Angela Mendoza adding 10 digs and seven excellent receptions on 15 attempts to bolster the Junior Lady Spikers’ defense in the hour-and-11-minute encounter.

Jhenica Sadia headlined Ateneo’s scoring with 21 points on 19 attacks, a block, and an ace in the hour-and-38-minute match. Naihma Banal and Juliana Peregrino added 11 points apiece, with Banal scoring on 10 attacks and a block, while Peregrino contributed eight attacks and three aces.

Resty Olaguir facilitated the offense with 16 excellent sets while adding four attacks, two blocks, and two aces. Ainsly Santiago also played a key role in the backcourt with 13 digs and 24 excellent receptions.

Anya Callo paced UPIS with 12 points, including five blocks, four attacks, and three aces, as the team remained seventh in the standings after its seventh consecutive defeat.

Janah Sumagaysay led the winless Junior Lady Warriors with 13 points, all from attacks.