Reporting note: this article draws on tiebreakertimes.com.ph; LodiScore provides the summary and editorial framing.
Baby Falcons Respond with Statement Sweep Over UPIS
Adamson University wasted no time shaking off a tough loss, delivering a commanding straight-set sweep against University of the Philippines Integrated School (UPIS), 25-15, 25-17, 25-19, on Friday at the Paco Arena Events and Sports Center in Manila! The victory pushed the Baby Falcons to a 2-2 record in the UAAP Season 89 High School Boys’ Volleyball Tournament, lifting them into a tie for third to fifth place.
After dropping a four-set battle to University of Santo Tomas on Thursday, Adamson brought fierce energy to the floor. The Baby Falcons exploded in the third frame with an 8-0 run to build a massive 10-1 advantage, sparked by back-to-back blocks and an attack from Ian Dayao. UPIS fought off three match points late in the set, but a service error ultimately sealed the 57-minute win for Adamson.
“Hopefully, mahigitan nga namin ‘yung performance last season. Siguro paghahandaan lang din talaga sa araw-araw na ensayo namin tsaka ‘yung composure ng mga bata during game, importante kasi ‘yun mentally tsaka ‘yung body nila kailangan prepared talaga palagi,” said Adamson head coach Marvin Ramoso. “And sabi ko nga sa mga bata, hindi lang naman Final Four lang ang target natin dapat eh, kundi final two talaga kagad.”
Dayao spearheaded the charge with 11 points on seven attacks and four blocks. Lance Babon contributed 10 points, James Bernabe added nine, and setter Janjalani Rebualos dished out 12 excellent sets. Defensively, Johnlee Macam stepped up with 10 digs alongside five points. Prince Jimenez paced UPIS with eight points and six digs.
Brett Urriquia Fires 17 as DLSZ Breaks Through Against Ateneo
In the second match of the day, De La Salle Zobel (DLSZ) finally broke into the win column in dominant style, shutting out Ateneo de Manila University, 25-14, 25-14, 25-20. The Junior Spikers improved to 1-3 to join UPIS in sixth place, while keeping Ateneo winless at 0-4.
DLSZ set the tone early in the third set with a 7-1 blitz, fueled by Brett Urriquia and Kooper Arguelles. Ateneo attempted a late fightback behind Dominic Franco Tolentino, trimming the gap to 22-19, but DLSZ shut the door. Arguelles came up with a clutch block before Renell Sabaldica put the Junior Spikers at match point. Following a brief net touch violation, Arguelles scored the final point to wrap up the 61-minute encounter.
Urriquia was virtually unstoppable, unloading a game-high 17 points anchored by 14 spikes, two aces, and a block! Arguelles and John Angelo Ronquillo provided strong support with eight points each. Playmaker Ranzlee Buco tossed 12 excellent sets, while libero Luis Papa stood tall with 10 digs and eight excellent receptions. Antonio Avendano and Jaden Lee led Ateneo with five markers apiece.
