University of Santo Tomas and National University-Nazareth School protected their clean slates after beating separate foes in the UAAP Season 82 girls’ volleyball tournament Sunday at the Blue Eagle Gym.
The Junior Tigresses upended Adamson University, 25-20, 25-17, 25-17, while the Lady Bullpups rolled past Far Eastern University-Diliman, 20-25, 25-16, 25-10, 25-11.
Meanwhile, De La Salle-Zobel sent University of the East reeling to its fourth straight loss, 16-25, 25-23, 44-42, 25-19, in a match that saw a marathon third set that lasted for 48 minutes.
With the Baby Falcons up by a point in the third set, 8-7, the Junior Tigressed went on a 12-2 rally to put the game out of reach and claim its fifth win in as many games.
“Sinabi ko lang na kailangan lang na magkaroon kami ng disiplina sa service at sa passing knowing Adamson, quality lahat ng players nila,” assistant coach Yani Fernandez said.
Renee Peñafiel led UST anew with 13 points while KC Cepada chipped in 10.
The Bullpups need a 17-7 finishing kick in the fourth set topped to extend their undefeated run to four matches.
“Sinabi ko sa kanila noong second set na hindi puwedeng ina-underestimate ninyo yung kalaban, kailangan nilang seryosohin lahat ng games,” said NU coach Regine Diego.
Evangeline Alinsug topscored for the Bullpups with 18 points on 10 spikes and eight service aces while Alyssa Solomon chalked up 17 markers.
Lyann De Guzman and Alexis Miner had six points apiece for FEU. The Bullpups dominated the Baby Tamaraws in the spiking category, 42-14.
Last season’s MVP Angel Canino missed her second consecutive game due to a suspected MCL injury and is expected to be out for the whole first round, but the Junior Lady Spikers were still able to chalk up their second win in four matches.
“Hinayaan ko lang sila to do their best, and very encouraging sa program na maraming nagstestep-up in the absence of Angel Canino,” said coach Tina Salak as De La Salle-Zobel moved in a tie with Adamson University in third place.
The Junior Lady Spikers displayed nerves of steel as Irah Jaboneta’s off-speed shot and an attack error from the Junior Warriors ended the energy-sapping third set.
UE ran out of steam, as De La Salle-Zobel raced to a 14-3 fourth set lead and never looked back.
Lorien Gamboa registered 17 points while Jaboneta and Gerzel Petallo each added 15 hits for the Junior Lady Spikers.
Chris Ann Susbilla’s 22 points went for naught as the Junior Warriors slid to 1-4.
