Reporting note: this article draws on tiebreakertimes.com.ph; LodiScore provides the summary and editorial framing.
NUNS volleyball sweep preserves flawless record
Defending champion National University-Nazareth School capped an undefeated first round with a 25-16, 25-18, 25-18 victory over Far Eastern University-Diliman on Friday at the Paco Arena Events and Sports Center in Manila. The win moved the Lady Bullpups to 7-0 atop the UAAP Season 89 High School Girls’ Volleyball Tournament table, dropping just a single set across their first seven fixtures.
FEU-D saw its four-game winning streak snapped to slide to 4-3, though the Lady Baby Tamaraws retained fourth place. The contest tightened at 14-all in the third set before NUNS orchestrated a 5-0 scoring run, powered by a Jaila Adrao attack. Xyz Rayco subsequently produced a block and a spike before Jhaynna Bulandres recorded the match-clinching hit to secure the straight-set result in 67 minutes.
Rayco topped NUNS with 11 points on seven kills, three blocks, and an ace, while Ysabella Cruz posted 10 points featuring four blocks. Micaella Gould guided the attack with 16 excellent sets, complementing 17 digs and four receptions from Ghenievib Belen. Alexa Amana led FEU-D with nine points, while key hitter MJ Udeagbala was held to five.
UST claims solo second after halting Adamson run
University of Santo Tomas moved into solo second place in the standings with a 25-21, 20-25, 25-21, 25-21 triumph over Adamson University. The victory stretched the Junior Golden Tigresses' winning run to four matches, improving their record to 6-1. Adamson dropped to third at 5-2 after seeing its five-game winning streak halted.
Tied at 14-14 in the fourth set, UST seized control through a pivotal 4-0 run keyed by consecutive kills from Andrianna Menchavez for a 21-19 cushion. Patricia Mendoza added a late block to earn match point before Nicole Pelaez delivered the finishing spike. Pelaez led all scorers with 19 points on 13 attacks, five blocks, and an ace.
Menchavez contributed 16 points and 10 digs, while Lianne Sanchez tallied 13 excellent sets. Chasliey Pepito paced the floor defense with 14 digs and 11 receptions. Ellaine Gonzalvo registered a team-high 20 points and 11 digs for Adamson in the loss.
DLSZ and Ateneo halt skids in lower bracket
Further down the table, De La Salle Zobel and Ateneo de Manila University each arrested three-match slides. DLSZ handled University of the Philippines Integrated School in straight sets, 25-10, 25-22, 25-18, behind a late 6-1 burst in the third frame engineered by Aislinn Alemaña. Kylie Celada paced DLSZ with 15 points, while Alemaña supplied 10 points and eight digs.
Ateneo rebounded with a 26-24, 23-25, 25-13, 25-14 victory over University of the East. The Blue Eagles broke open the final frame with a 12-2 surge from an 11-11 deadlock. Naihma Banal produced a match-high 23 points, supported by 14 points and 16 digs from Juliana Peregrino and 25 excellent sets from Olaguir.
DLSZ remained fifth in the qualification race at 3-4, while Ateneo sits sixth at 2-5. UPIS dropped to 1-6 following a sixth straight defeat, and winless UE remains eighth at 0-7.
Statistical details and quotes were originally published by tiebreakertimes.com.ph.
