ADMU
NUNS holds off FEU-D in 4, seals UAAP girls volleyball Final Four spot
By: Justine Anne Gaerlan
National University-Nazareth School kept its perfect record intact and secured another trip to the Final Four after turning back Far Eastern University-Diliman in four sets, 25-17, 20-25, 27-25, 25-22, in the UAAP Season 89 High School Girls’ Volleyball Tournament on Wednesday at the Paco Arena Events and Sports Center in Manila.
The Lady Bullpups hurdled their biggest test of the season, clinching their 11th consecutive Final Four appearance and extending their winning streak to 10 games to remain unscathed at the top of the standings.
It was only the second time this season that NUNS had conceded a set.
The defending champions faced a stiff challenge from the Baby Tamaraws, particularly in the fourth set, which remained a back-and-forth affair before NUNS seized control in the decisive 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.
“’Di pa rin tapos. ‘Di pa rin tapos ‘yung trabaho namin. Recover lang then balik pa rin kami,” NUNS head coach Karl Dimaculangan said after his team became the first to book its place in the Final Four. “Sa amin, our discipline and consistency na lang siguro sa games ang kailangan ayusin.
“Tingin ko magandang opportunity rin ‘yung nangyari 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 kailangan naming i-improve,” he added.
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 MJ Udeagbala’s 21-point outing, highlighted by 18 attacks, two blocks, and an ace, to remain tied for third with a 6-4 record.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
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.
Andreaj Tan Chun Bing registered 20 excellent sets, while Chasliey Pepito recorded six excellent digs and eight excellent receptions in the hour-and-39-minute encounter.
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.
Gonzalvo finished with 13 attacks and two aces while collecting 10 digs. Comaling contributed 12 attacks, two blocks, and an ace, while Misajon also recorded 12 attack points and added three aces.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
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.
Alemaña contributed 13 points, all from attacks, as the Junior Lady Spikers improved to 5-5 and maintained their hold on fifth place.
Zofia Limpot facilitated DLSZ’s offense with 15 excellent sets, while Andi Cenizal led the defensive effort with 13 excellent digs.
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.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
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.
The post NUNS holds off FEU-D in 4, seals UAAP girls volleyball Final Four spot appeared first on Tiebreaker Times.
Clarence Villaflor and Lanz Zafra ensured that the inaugural UAAP men’s singles badminton title would remain with National University after dispatching their respective opponents in the Season 89 individual events semifinals on Monday at Gameville Central Park in Mandaluyong City.
Villaflor, the country’s top-ranked shuttler, overcame a challenging opening game to defeat Ateneo de Manila University’s Lance Vargas, 21–18, 21–12, in 40 minutes. Zafra, the Bulldogs’ team captain, likewise weathered the challenge of University of the Philippines’ Shan Clar, winning 21–17, 21–14, in 35 minutes.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
The two NU standouts will face each other for a place in history in the gold medal match scheduled for 9:45 a.m. on Tuesday.
The all-NU final also virtually secured the Bulldogs the inaugural UAAP badminton championship under the three-event format, having already claimed the gold medal in the team competition.
NU is assured of a maximum total of 20.875 points, with 15 coming from its team gold and 10.875 from its standing in the combined singles and doubles competitions.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
Ben Dictado and John Benedict Gam, meanwhile, kept the Bulldogs in contention for a sweep after rallying past Fighting Maroons Arjay Lazareto and Ryan Mendoza, 12–21, 21–19, 21–13, in the men’s doubles semifinals.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
The NU pair will face Ateneo’s Lyrden Laborte and Robby Ramos, who defeated De La Salle University’s Karl Contreras and Gift Linaban, 21–17, 21–17, in the other semifinal. The gold medal match is set for 11:15 a.m. on Tuesday.
On the women’s side, UP secured its place as the top-ranked university in the individual events after booking a spot in both the singles and doubles finals.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
Brys Fuggan dominated Adamson University’s Roshella Quierez, 21–12, 21–13, to move within a win of the inaugural UAAP women’s singles gold medal.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
Meanwhile, seniors Kimberly Lao and Susmita Ramos needed an hour and 15 minutes to outlast Ateneo’s Althea Hernandez and Angel Valle, 18–21, 21–13, 21–15, in the women’s doubles semifinals.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
Fuggan will face Sab Amora, who is set to make her final UAAP appearance, in the gold medal match at 9 a.m. on Tuesday. The graduating NU senior and team captain advanced to the final after defeating UP’s Anthea Gonzalez, 21–18, 21–16, in 43 minutes.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
Lao and Ramos, meanwhile, will take on Adamson rookies Mary Untal and Jasmine Reformina for the women’s doubles title at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday.
Untal and Reformina earned their place in the final by rallying past Ateneo’s other pair, Daena Castro and Andrea Hernandez, 18–21, 21–9, 21–17.
The post Villaflor, Zafra set up all-NU men’s singles final in UAAP badminton appeared first on Tiebreaker Times.
By: Justine Anne Gaerlan
National University-Nazareth School ended University of Santo Tomas’ nine-game unbeaten streak with a thrilling 25-17, 20-25, 21-25, 25-22, 18-16 victory in the UAAP Season 89 High School Boys’ Volleyball Tournament on Friday at the Paco Arena Events and Sports Center in Manila.
The Bullpups improved to 6-4 and joined the fourth-place tie after claiming their second consecutive win, while preventing the Junior Golden Spikers from becoming the first team to secure a Final Four berth.
Despite the loss, UST remained on top of the standings at 9-1 and secured at least a playoff for a Final Four berth.
“Unbeaten ang UST, so ang importante sa amin dito is talunin sila para mawala ‘yung stepladder. Kaya ginawa namin lahat ng best option na pwede naming gawin. So ‘yun, nag-work naman although may mga miscommunication na nangyayari, but thank God, nanalo pa rin,” said NUNS head coach Edgar Barroga.
The deciding set remained tightly contested, with neither side managing to establish a lead of more than two points. The Junior Golden Spikers 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.
“Sa amin, medyo mahirap kasi ngayon naghahabol kami ng twice-to-beat. It’s either one or two. Definitely mukhang mahihirapan na kami sa one and two. Kaya ‘yun na lang siguro ang paghahandaan namin.”
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.
Jemil Ocampo tallied 15 excellent sets, while Louie Gallego added 12 to facilitate the Bullpups’ offense. Clarenz Altoveros, meanwhile, recorded 27 excellent receptions.
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.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
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 remained 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.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
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.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
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.
Ranzlee Buco steered the offense with 12 excellent sets, while Luis Papa handled much of the defensive workload with 11 excellent receptions and four excellent digs as DLSZ improved to 2-9 and remained seventh in the standings.
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.
The post UAAP boys’ volleyball: NUNS stuns unbeaten UST in five-set thriller appeared first on Tiebreaker Times.
By: Nicole Parallag
Danielle Benitez and Celina Salazar led the way as Ateneo de Manila University clinched the last Final Four ticket in the UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Women’s Football Tournament with a 2-0 victory over National University on Wednesday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.
Benitez, a standout from Cebu, broke the deadlock in the 44th minute to put the Blue Eagles in front. Salazar then sealed the victory with a goal in the 90+4 minute, securing all three points and Ateneo’s entry into the next phase of the competition.
The result completed the women’s division’s Final Four cast, with Ateneo securing the last spot with 13 points, ahead of fifth-place University of Santo Tomas, which finished with 11 points.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
The Blue Eagles join top-seeded Far Eastern University, second-placed De La Salle University, and third-placed University of the Philippines in the postseason lineup.
Ateneo now awaits the confirmation of the postseason format, which will be determined after the Lady Tamaraws face the Green Lady Booters in the final match of the elimination round on Wednesday night.
“Our objective, like what I said at the start of the season, is to be in the final four, since this is the inaugural season for us to have a final four, so we have aimed to get that objective, and of course, we wanted to improve more,” commented Manululo.
“For us, since we got the number four position, it will be really a mountainous level to accomplish. If God forbid, let’s see what will happen in the next game. What will be our destiny?”
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
NU had a chance to level the match in the 81st minute after Ateneo’s Rae Tolentino was shown a red card for pulling back Jaquilin Esteban, giving the Lady Bulldogs a free kick.
However, Blue Eagles goalkeeper Sophia Gajitos denied Lizzie Torre’s attempt, preserving Ateneo’s clean sheet.
Although they failed to register a point in their debut campaign, the Lady Bulldogs showed grit in their final match despite having only 14 players available for the contest.
The post Ateneo shuts out NU to clinch final UAAP women’s football semis spot appeared first on Tiebreaker Times.
-
Athletics1 month agoAbeokuta 10km Race winners praise organisers after ₦6m prize payout
-
Featured2 months ago
Bet9ja Foundation Ex-Internationals Cup: Babington Lift Giant Trophy, Pocket ₦2.5m After 3–1 Final Win
-
Basketball7 months agoPBA slaps ₱20k fine on Calvin Abueva for F2 upgrade vs Magnolia
-
DLSU9 months agoShan Nunag shows composure beyond year in La Salle debut
-
News9 months agoCamilla Lamina shows calm leadership even off the bench
-
Football9 months ago
2026 Uganda Cup: The confirmed fixtures, venues & kick off times at round of 32
-
Foreign Pros9 months ago
‘Eric Chelle must pay compensation to quit Super Eagles post’
-
Others9 months ago
Sarah Babirye Kityo: The majestic return to 12th Parliament, to front sports talent development