UAAP: NUNS deals UST its first loss in boys’ volleyball

MANILA — National University-Nazareth School emerged triumphant in a five-set thriller to end University of Santo Tomas’ unbeaten run in the UAAP Season 89 boys’ volleyball tournament on Friday.

The Bullpups authored a 25-17, 20-25, 21-25, 25-22, 18-16 victory over the Junior Golden Spikers at the Paco Arena Events and Sports Center in Manila, ending the España-based squad’s nine-game winning streak.

The result hiked NUNS’ record to 6-4, while UST dropped to 9-1. Nevertheless, the Junior Golden Spikers are still assured of a playoff for a Final 4 berth.

“Unbeaten ang UST so ang importante samin dito is talunin sila para mawala ‘yung stepladder,” said NUNS head coach Edgar Barroga. “Kaya ginawa namin lahat ng the best option na pwede namin gawin.”

In a tight decider, UST reached match point first on a Karl Escobal attack, but Ivbo Bucaya’s service error sent the set into deuce.

Markus Julian put UST back at match point before Al Raquib Dais tied the score for NUNS. Kiel Biscocho then gave the Bullpups their first match point, only for Bernard Capuno to level the score once more for UST.

Vince Panilawon put NUNS at match point again before a Cirilo Domingo attack sailed long, sealing the Bullpups’ comeback victory at 18-16.

“Gusto talaga nilang manalo. Iba ‘yung puso nila kanina kesa nung mga nakaraang laro,” Barroga said.

Biscocho led all NUNS scorers with 23 points, recording 21 attacks and two blocks in the hour-and-55-minute battle. Dais added 16 points on 15 attacks and a block, while Millan contributed 14 points alongside eight digs.

Escobal paced UST with 28 points on 27 attacks and a block, while Capuno contributed 20 points on 16 attacks, three service aces, and a block.

Meanwhile, Far Eastern University-Diliman also secured at least a playoff for a Final Four berth after sweeping defending champion University of the East, 25-19, 25-15, 25-23, for its third consecutive victory.

The Baby Tamaraws are tied for the top spot with UST at 9-1.

The two teams battled closely in the third set before FEU-D broke a 19-all deadlock with three consecutive points, highlighted by attacks from Sam Hopkins and Kenneth Maliwanag. A Jack Parde attack error then extended the Tamaraws’ advantage.

Ahmad Korooshavi followed with another attack to put the Baby Tamaraws at match point, but UE fended off two match points through attacks from Khian Hiyao and Steven David. Korooshavi eventually put the match away with a kill.

Maliwanag accounted for 17 points in FEU-D’s victory, all coming from attacks in the 65-minute match. Korooshavi chipped in 11 points on eight spikes and three blocks.

Karch Carolino dished out 15 excellent sets to keep the Baby Tamaraws’ offense running, while Samuel Coronel recorded 11 excellent receptions and five excellent digs.

Hiyao led the Junior Warriors in the losing effort with 14 points, tallying nine attacks, three blocks, and two service aces.

Adamson University, meanwhile, moved into a tie with NUNS for fourth place after sweeping Ateneo de Manila University, 25-7, 25-6, 25-7.

The Baby Falcons closed out the sweep with a decisive 9-1 run, capitalizing on consecutive errors from the Blue Eagles. Jade Carlos delivered back-to-back service aces during the run before an attack error from Ateneo handed Adamson match point. Ivann Igga then sealed the victory with a tip.

Lance Babon led the Baby Falcons with 13 points, all coming from attacks in the 47-minute affair. James Bernabe and Janjalani Rebualos added eight points apiece, with Rebualos also directing Adamson’s offense with seven excellent sets.

The victory brought Adamson to an even 5-5 record.

Still winless after 10 games, the Blue Eagles were officially eliminated from Final Four contention.

De La Salle Zobel, meanwhile, snapped its five-game losing streak with a 25-18, 25-18, 25-18 sweep of University of the Philippines Integrated School.

The Junior Green Spikers had two double-digit scorers in Angelo Ronquillo and Kooper Arguelles, who finished with 13 and 11 points, respectively. Ronquillo tallied 10 attacks, two service aces, and a block, while Arguelles converted nine attacks.

Justin Jusayan and Prince Jimenez, meanwhile, scored all eight of their points through attacks for UPIS, which stayed sixth despite falling to 3-7 following its second consecutive defeat.