UAAP: NUNS girls turn back FEU-Diliman to clinch Final 4 berth

MANILA — National University-Nazareth School is the first team to clinch a Final 4 spot in the UAAP Season 89 girls’ volleyball tournament, thanks to a four-set win over Far Eastern University-Diliman on Wednesday at the Paco Arena in Manila.

The Lady Bullpups passed their biggest tests of the season so far en route to a 25-17, 20-25, 27-25, 25-22 win over FEU-Diliman.

The win sealed NUNS’ 11th consecutive Final 4 appearance, while improving their record to 10-0.

“‘Di pa rin tapos. ‘Di pa rin tapos ‘yung trabaho namin.  Recover lang then balik pa rin kami,” NUNS head coach Karl Dimaculangan.

The defending champions dropped a set for only the second time in the tournament and had to weather a stiff challenge from the Baby Tamaraws in the fourth set before seizing control down the stretch.

Raine Alonzo sparked a three-point run with an attack, followed by a net-touch violation from FEU-D, before delivering the final blow with another attack to close out the rematch of last year’s Finals.

“Tingin ko magandang opportunity rin ‘yung nagyari today para makita rin namin kung paano kami magre-respond sa pressure na binigay ng FEU and makita rin namin ‘yung lapses namin para malaman namin ano ‘yung kailang naming i-improve,” Dimaculangan said.

Xyz Rayco spearheaded the defending champions with 24 points on 18 attacks, five aces, and a block, while Alonzo chipped in 22 points through 16 attacks, five aces, and a block.

Mica Gould tallied 20 excellent sets and three points, while Ghenievib Belen contributed 13 excellent digs on 26 attempts and eight excellent receptions in the hour-and-39-minute encounter.

FEU-D leaned on Udeagbala’s 21-point outing, highlighted by 18 attacks, two blocks, and an ace, to remain tied for third with a 6-4 record.

Meanwhile, University of Santo Tomas extended its winning streak to two games after once again getting the better of Adamson University, 24-26, 25-18, 25-19, 25-19, to maintain second place with an 8-2 record.

The Junior Golden Tigresses built a five-point cushion at 16-11 in the fourth set before Adamson trimmed the deficit to two behind a three-point run capped by a Jennica Misajon ace.

The Lady Baby Falcons remained within striking distance, but UST responded with another three-point burst highlighted by an Andrianna Menchavez attack and an Erin Sotto ace, along with an Adamson error.

Misajon briefly halted UST’s momentum with a hit, but Menchavez answered with back-to-back attacks to send the Junior Golden Tigresses to match point before delivering the match-clinching kill.

Taj Teves and Nicole Pelaez led UST’s scoring with 13 points apiece, each tallying 12 attacks and an ace. Patricia Mendoza added 12 points on eight attacks, two blocks, and two aces, while Menchavez and Sotto chipped in 10 and nine points, respectively.

Ellaine Gonzalvo, Francheska Comaling, and Misajon paced Adamson with 15 points apiece, but their efforts fell short as the Lady Baby Falcons dropped to 6-4 and remained tied for third.

De La Salle Zobel, meanwhile, returned to the win column with a 25-23, 25-21, 25-17 sweep of the University of the East to keep its Final Four hopes alive.

UE and DLSZ traded points early before the Junior Lady Spikers pulled ahead, 11-6, behind attacks from Aislinn Alemaña and a series of UE errors. DLSZ continued to widen the gap through consecutive attacks from Alemaña and Kylie Celada, with the latter delivering back-to-back service aces to put her team at match point, 24-15.

UE managed to trim the deficit through a DLSZ error and an attack from Janah Sumagaysay, but Princess Montebon’s service error handed the Junior Lady Spikers the third set, 25-17, and the match.

Celada delivered a 14-point performance, including 10 attacks and four service aces, while adding 10 excellent receptions in the hour-and-11-minute match.

Reesseailyn Roxas topscored for UE with 15 points, all coming from attacks. The loss kept the Junior Lady Warriors winless at 0-10, officially eliminating them from Final Four contention.

Ateneo de Manila University, meanwhile, secured its fourth victory of the season with a 25-16, 25-15, 25-16 sweep of the University of the Philippines Integrated School.

The victory lifted Ateneo to 4-6 and sixth place, while UPIS absorbed its ninth consecutive defeat to fall to 1-9 and remain seventh.

Juliana Peregrino delivered Ateneo’s biggest scoring output with 14 points on 11 attacks and three aces. Naihma Banal followed with 10 points, highlighted by nine attacks and an ace in the hour-long match.

Resty Olaguir steered the Blue Eagles’ offense with 14 excellent sets while adding four points.

Niña Abad paced UPIS in the loss with nine points, all coming from attacks.