PASAY CITY – Far Eastern University (FEU) extended its winning streak to five, defeating University of the East (UE) in straight sets, 25-16, 25-23, 25-19, on Wednesday (05 Mar 2025) at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in the UAAP Season 87 men’s volleyball tournament.
Mikko Espartero led the way for the Tamaraws with eight points and six digs, while middle blocker Lirick Mendoza also contributed eight points, including five attacks and three blocks. This win mirrors FEU’s 5-0 start from Season 81 (2019).
“We just keep pushing forward. We’ve overcome our challenges, especially the illnesses in the team. Our success comes from a strong collective effort,” said assistant coach Rene Dulay, who is standing in for head coach Eddieson Orcullo, recovering from Achilles surgery.
Skipper Jelord Talisayan, Dryx Saavedra, and Doula Ndongala combined to build an 18-13 lead in the third set. Despite a brief rally by UE, FEU sealed the win through Amet Bituin and Ariel Cacao, wrapping up the match in one hour and 22 minutes.
Talisayan finished with seven points, including six attacks and one block, while Saavedra and Ndongala each added seven points. Vennie Ceballos contributed 12 receptions, and Benny Martinez recorded 10 excellent sets.
“The key is balance and teamwork. We make sure every player contributes—it’s not about one person, but the whole team,” Dulay explained.
For the Red Warriors (0-5), John Steve Aligaynon led with 13 points, followed by Raquim Aceron’s 11 points and 15 excellent receptions. Roy Gabriel Piojo chipped in with nine points.
FEU’s next match is against Adamson University, while UE will face De La Salle University on Saturday.
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MANILA – The University of Santo Tomas Junior Tigresses delivered a historic 170-46 rout against Ateneo de Manila University in the UAAP Season 87 girls’ basketball tournament at FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan on Sunday (16 Feb 2025).
The 124-point winning margin shattered the previous record of 99 points set by De La Salle-Zobel in their 115-16 win over Ateneo on February 9. UST’s total score also surpassed the tournament’s prior highest output of 121 points, set by Adamson University in 2020.
Leading UST’s dominant performance was Grachelle Boteros, who posted 25 points, six rebounds, and four assists. Barby Dajao contributed 21 points, five rebounds, five assists, and four steals, while Rhiane Perez added 20 points.
Despite the overwhelming victory, UST head coach Sen Dysangco emphasized that their focus remains on player development.
“We don’t focus on wins. Our goal is daily improvement—not just in basketball skills, but in character as well,” Dysangco said.
Ateneo’s Tyler Templo and Virlene Gozum scored 14 and 10 points, respectively, as their team absorbed its fourth straight loss.
Dysangco commended Ateneo’s resilience and stressed the importance of continuing the tournament, especially after the pandemic.
“It takes courage to compete, especially for teams still building their programs. These are growing pains, but we should never give up on our young athletes,” he added.
With this win, UST remains undefeated at 4-0, cementing its dominance in the tournament.
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MANILA – National University Nazareth School (NUNS) clinched its first-ever UAAP girls beach volleyball title on Sunday, February 2, 2025, at Sands SM By The Bay.
NUNS’ Vilmarie Toos and Faith Mangyao triumphed in a thrilling final, defeating University of Santo Tomas (UST) duo Cheng Dadang and Angelica del Mar, 18-21, 21-10, 15-8.
“This win means a lot to us after the challenges we faced over the past year,” said Toos, the season’s MVP. “We sacrificed a lot, like not going home for the holidays, just to train. That dedication paid off.”
Earlier, in the semifinals, Toos and Mangyao dominated Adamson’s Ella Gonzalvo and Maegan Pineda, 21-9, 21-15, while Dadang and Del Mar edged out Far Eastern University’s Sheena Cafe and Sheila Pascual, 21-17, 16-21, 15-6.
Adamson secured the bronze with a 21-17, 21-12 win over FEU-D’s Cafe and Aleah Devosora.
In the men’s division, UST’s JM Lagaran and Lance Malinao outlasted NUNS’ Wayne Dionela and Kian Tan in a dramatic three-set final, 21-14, 13-21, 16-14. Despite trailing 8-12 in the final set, UST rallied to deny NUNS a second consecutive title.
In the semifinals, Lagaran and Malinao cruised past FEU-D’s Calimlim and Sam Coronel, 21-7, 21-12, while Dionela and Tan defeated Adamson’s Malinao and Ygot, 21-12, 21-16. FEU-D took home the bronze after a hard-fought 22-20, 19-21, 15-13 win over Adamson’s Brice Malinao and Gian Ygot.
Gonzalvo was named Rookie of the Year, while De La Salle-Zobel’s Luis Papa claimed the top rookie award in the boys’ division.
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MANILA — The University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) will bring back girls’ basketball after a five-year hiatus.
The inaugural season in 2020 was cut short by the Covid-19 pandemic, with Adamson University and the University of Santo Tomas (UST) sharing the Season 82 title after Game 3 of the finals was canceled.
This year, the competition will feature UST, Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle-Zobel, and National University-Nazareth School (NUNS). The tournament will start on January 23 at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan, with NUNS facing Ateneo at 4 p.m.
NUNS head coach Camilla Escoto shared her excitement for the event’s return.
“I’m very happy and excited about it because I believe we just need to start somewhere, and it will start growing,” Escoto said. “That’s women’s basketball. Just give a platform and they will perform and start becoming more. Although there are only four teams this season, it’s a good start. We just really need to start.”
Escoto guided NUNS to victories in last year’s National Basketball Training Center’s girls’ division and the UAAP girls’ 3×3 tournament.
Junior Growling Tigresses head coach Arsenio Dysangco also highlighted the significance of a high school division in the UAAP for a smoother transition to the collegiate level.
“I am extremely delighted that after a five-year hiatus, our young girls finally have their own tournament to showcase their talents,” Dysangco said. “This tournament is also critical for the development of women’s basketball because starting them early gives them a better chance at reaching their fullest potential as basketball athletes.”
Dysangco added that his team’s main players, Grachelle Boteros and Barby Dajao from Bacolod, serve as the program’s pillars.
Several players from the previous season have gone on to excel in collegiate basketball, including inaugural MVP Cris Padilla and Kat Agojo (Adamson), Brigette Santos and Nicole Danganan (UST), and Katelyn Cancio (Ateneo). UST’s Rachel Lacayanga has joined the University of the East Lady Warriors.
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MANILA — The defending champions UST Growling Tigresses thwarted the NU Lady Bulldogs’ bid for a UAAP Season 87 women’s basketball tournament sweep, securing a 76-68 victory in Game Two of the Finals at the Mall of Asia Arena on Wednesday (11 Dec 2024).
The win forced a deciding Game Three for both teams.
UST came out strong, dominating early with a 24-9 first-quarter lead, and maintained their composure, hitting key shots in the final moments to hand NU their first loss of the season.
Brigette Santos, Karyle Sierba, and Kent Pastrana stepped up when it mattered most. Sierba sealed the win with two free throws in the final 13.1 seconds. Santos led the charge for the Growling Tigresses with a career-high 27 points and four assists.
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MANILA – The University of Santo Tomas (UST) Tiger Cubs moved one step closer to ending their championship drought with a 98-84 win over the University of the East (UE) in Game 1 of the UAAP Season 87 boys’ basketball finals on Wednesday (11 Dec 2024) at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Jhon Canapi was the standout performer for UST, scoring 30 points and adding six rebounds, three steals, and one assist. Miguel Jubilado also impressed with 23 points, eight rebounds, and four assists, while Nickson Cabanero contributed 21 points, 16 rebounds, and eight assists.
“We just need to prepare well for Game 2 and follow the coach’s plan,” Canapi said, hoping to secure the title on Dec. 15 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
UST extended its six-game winning streak, including two victories over Far Eastern University-Diliman in the semifinals, to dominate UE, which entered the finals with a 14-1 record.
Despite solid performances from UE’s Ethan Oraa (14 points, six rebounds) and Kiefer Panganiban (14 points), the Junior Warriors couldn’t overcome UST’s well-rounded attack.
The Tiger Cubs will aim to finish the series in Game 2, while UE will look to bounce back and force a decider.
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MANILA — The defending champion University of Santo Tomas will face the undefeated National University in the UAAP Season 87 women’s basketball finals after defeating Adamson University 71-59, on Wednesday (04 Dec 2024).
UST’s Kent Pastrana, the reigning UAAP Athlete of the Year, led the Growling Tigresses with 23 points, 16 rebounds, and 8 assists. CJ Maglupay added 13 points, 11 rebounds, and 6 steals.
The best-of-three finals series begins on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
NU, who earned an outright finals berth after a perfect elimination round, will aim to reclaim the title they lost to UST last season. The Lady Bulldogs defeated UST twice in the preliminaries.
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MANILA – The UP Fighting Maroons advanced to their fourth consecutive UAAP men’s basketball finals, defeating the UST Growling Tigers, 78-69, at the Araneta Coliseum on November 30.
Trailing 33-35 at halftime, UP surged with a dominant 21-4 third-quarter run, led by Harold Alarcon’s 16-point performance and Quentin Millora-Brown’s 19 rebounds, sealing a decisive victory. UST’s efforts, powered by 12 points each from Kyle Paranada, Nic Cabañero, and Gelo Crisostomo, fell short despite a brief lead early in the second half.
Coach Goldwin Monteverde credited UP’s improved ball movement and momentum in the second half. “We expected a tough fight against UST. Their program has shown significant improvement this season,” Monteverde said.
The Maroons now await the winner of the La Salle Green Archers and Adamson Soaring Falcons matchup to determine their finals opponent.
Game Highlights:
UP: Alarcon 16, Millora-Brown 9 (19 rebounds, 4 blocks), Torres 13
UST: Paranada 12, Cabañero 12, Crisostomo 12
Quarters: 16-14, 33-35, 57-50, 78-69
UP will aim for another title in its fifth finals appearance in six years.
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MANILA — Adamson University defeated Ateneo, 58-52, in a preview of their stepladder knockout match, wrapping up the UAAP Season 87 women’s basketball elimination round on a high note Saturday (23 Nov 2024) at FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
Elaine Etang and Cris Padilla helped the Lady Falcons build a 15-point lead early in the fourth quarter, 54-39.
However, Ateneo mounted a 10-0 run, cutting the deficit to 54-49 with 1:48 remaining.
Despite the Blue Eagles’ rally, Etang and Kem Adeshina sealed the win for Adamson, pushing their lead to 58-49 with 31 seconds left, ending Ateneo’s four-game winning streak.
Etang finished with 9 points, while Adeshina contributed 8 points and 5 rebounds. Novie Ornopia led Adamson with 10 points and 5 rebounds. The win secured Adamson’s third-place finish in the elimination round with a 9-5 record. The Lady Falcons will now face the winner of the Ateneo vs. Adamson stepladder game in the semifinals.
Adamson coach Ryan Monteclaro praised the win as key for building momentum and confidence going into the next phase. “We’re aware that we’re going to play Ateneo again, so this is good preparation,” he said.
Ateneo, which ended the elimination round in fourth place with an 8-6 record, was led by reigning MVP Kacey Dela Rosa, who posted 15 points and 19 rebounds. Teammates Junize Calago and Sarah Makanjuola added 13 and 11 points, respectively.
Meanwhile, University of Santo Tomas (UST) secured second place with a 12-2 record after dominating De La Salle, 70-52, in the day’s earlier game. UST’s Tacky Tacatac led the charge with 14 points in the first half, and Kent Pastrana added 10 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists. UST’s dominant defense stifled La Salle, which managed just 3 points in the opening quarter.
The Lady Archers, led by Luisa San Juan’s 15 points, ended the elimination round in sixth place with a 4-10 record. In the final game of the season, University of the Philippines (UP) routed University of the East (UE), 65-48, with Camille Nolasco scoring 14 points in her best performance of the season.
The stepladder semifinals will feature Adamson battling Ateneo for the right to face UST in the next round.
The Scores:
Second Game:
UST 70 – Tacatac 14, Pastrana 10, Santos 9, Danganan 9, Sierba 7, Maglupay 6, Reliquette 5, Ambos 2, Amatong 2, Bron 2, Soriano 0, Pineda 0, Serrano 0, Pescador 0.
DLSU 52 – San Juan 15, Sario 9, Binaohan 8, Sunga 7, Dela Paz 6, Mendoza 3, Santos 2, Dalisay 1, Paraiso 1, Bacierto 0, Camba 0.
Quarterscores: 20-3, 39-23, 57-38, 70-52.
Third Game:
AdU 58 – Ornopia 10, Etang 9, Adeshina 8, Apag 6, Padilla 6, A. Alaba 5, E. Alaba 5, Manlimos 3, Mazo 2, Limbago 2, Agojo 2, Meniano 0, Bajo 0, Delos Santos 0, Cortez 0, Trabado 0.
Ateneo 52 – Dela Rosa 15, Calago 13, Makanjuola 11, Villacruz 6, Oani 3, Batongbakal 2, Eufemiano 2, Cruza 0, Cancio 0, Olivenza 0, Lopez 0, Angala 0, Aguirre 0.
Quarterscores: 19-13, 33-28, 47-39, 58-52.
Fourth Game:
UP 65 – Nolasco 14, Pesquera 14, Ozar 13, Maw 9, Tapawan 4, Solitario 3, Mendoza 2, Jimenez 2, Vingno 2, Sauz 1, Quinquinio 1, Lozada 0, Bariquit 0, Barba 0.
UE 48 – Ganade 17, Ronquillo 10, Lacayanga 6, Kone 5, Vacalares 4, Buscar 4, Lumibao 2, Dalguntas 0.
Quarterscores: 13-9, 34-20, 53-37, 65-48.
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MANILA – Far Eastern University kept its semifinal aspirations intact, securing a crucial 65-54 victory over Ateneo de Manila University in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Saturday (09 Nov 2024)
The Tamaraws improved to a 5-8 record, claiming solo fifth place as they head into their final elimination round match against the University of the Philippines on November 16 at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
Defending champion De La Salle University (11-1) and UP (9-2) have already locked up twice-to-beat advantages in the Final Four. University of Santo Tomas (5-6) and University of the East (6-5) were still battling for the last Final Four spot as of press time. If UST wins, Ateneo (3-9) will miss the Final Four for the first time since 2013.
Rookie Janrey Pasaol led FEU with 14 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals. Rojan Montemayor added 13 points, including three 3-pointers. Mohamed Konateh contributed a dominant 11 points and 21 rebounds, while Jorick Bautista and Royce Alforque chipped in 8 points apiece.
FEU head coach Sean Chambers praised his team’s resilience, saying, “I’m so proud of these guys. Last game, I was tough on them in practice, and their response has been amazing. They’re disciplined, they want to win.”
For Ateneo, Ian Espinosa tallied 14 points and 6 assists, while Jared Bahay finished with 9 points.
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MANILA – Far Eastern University pulled off a thrilling 67-64 upset over Adamson University in the UAAP Season 87 women’s basketball tournament at Smart Araneta Coliseum on Saturday (12 Oct 2024).
Erica Joi Lopez delivered an impressive performance, scoring 12 points in the fourth quarter alone, including a crucial three-pointer that put FEU ahead 65-64 with just a minute left. Adamson had chances to respond but missed critical shots, allowing FEU to secure the win with two clutch free throws from Shane Salvani.
“The confidence coach Raiza gives us is immense. When it’s open, you take the shot with all your heart,” said Lopez, who finished with 17 points, highlighted by five triples.
FEU coach Raiza Palmera-Dy expressed her belief in her team’s capabilities. “I’ve seen them play every day, and I know they can perform like this. We just needed everyone to play well at the same time.”
Adamson’s Elaine Etang led the Falcons with 16 points, while Cheska Apag added 14 points and seven rebounds. Despite the loss, Adamson holds third place in the standings with a 5-3 record.
Meanwhile, De La Salle University avenged their first-round loss to the University of the East (UE) with a commanding 74-46 win. Tricia Mendoza paced the Lady Archers with 15 points, while Bernice Paraiso contributed a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds.
De La Salle coach Cholo Villanueva said the team focused on correcting their mistakes from the first round. “We just want to improve on the things we did wrong before.”
UE’s Moana Vacalares led her team with 12 points, but it wasn’t enough to avoid their seventh loss of the season.
Both FEU and La Salle now hold identical 2-6 records as they continue their fight in the tournament.
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MANILA — The University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigresses secured a commanding 84-60 victory over the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons in the UAAP Season 87 women’s basketball tournament on Wednesday (02 ocT 2024) at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Tacky Tacatac was on fire, scoring 20 points, including four three-pointers, 14 of which came in the fourth quarter. Kent Pastrana contributed 21 points, nine rebounds, and four assists, leading UST to their fifth win of the season with a 5-1 record.
UST held a solid lead throughout the game, going into halftime with a 44-27 advantage. Though UP rallied to close the gap to 59-53 by the end of the third quarter, UST responded with a strong final push, sparked by Tacatac, Bridgette Santos, and Karylle Sierba.
Coach Haydee Ong praised Tacatac’s performance, noting how her shooting opens up space for other key players like Pastrana.
For UP, Kye Pesquera led the team with 20 points, five rebounds, and three assists, while Louna Ozar and Christie Bariquit added 14 points each. Despite their efforts, the Fighting Maroons dropped to 2-4.
In the juniors’ division, UST also emerged victorious, beating UP Integrated School 87-53. Andwele Cabañero’s 27 points and Jhon Canapi’s five triples propelled the Tiger Cubs to a 4-2 record.
Meanwhile, in another juniors’ game, the University of the East maintained their unbeaten streak with a 70-59 win over Ateneo de Manila University, improving to 6-0.
With UST’s dominance across divisions, they continue to assert themselves as a force to be reckoned with this season.
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MANILA – The University of Santo Tomas Tiger Cubs and the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles both secured victories on Saturday (21 Sept 2024), propelling them to joint second place in the UAAP Season 87 boys’ basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
UST’s Nickson Cabañero and Jhon Canapi each scored 22 points, leading the Tiger Cubs to a thrilling 84-83 win over defending champions National University Nazareth School Bullpups.
After trailing by 17 points at the end of the third quarter, the Bullpups mounted a furious rally to cut the lead to 75-78 with five minutes left.
Clutch baskets by Canapi and Dustin Bathan pushed UST’s lead to 84-77 with just over two minutes remaining. NU fought back, with contributions from Chester Tulabot, Yujin Peña, and Zui Urea, narrowing the gap to 83-84 in the final 27 seconds. A missed layup by Tulabut in the dying moments sealed the victory for UST.
“All teams are still adjusting, including us. NU got stronger with their rotation, and we’re all learning as we go,” said UST coach Noli Mejos.
Tulabut had a standout performance with 25 points, six rebounds, two assists, and three steals for NU, which fell to a 1-3 record. Teammates David Sabareza, Josh Vitug, and Peña also contributed significantly, but it wasn’t enough to avoid the narrow defeat.
In another matchup, the Ateneo Blue Eagles held off a late surge from Adamson University to win 79-73. Ateneo built a commanding 77-56 lead before the Baby Falcons staged a 17-2 run in the final six minutes.
Sky Jazul led Ateneo with 19 points, while Zane Kallos added 18 points, 12 rebounds, eight assists, and three steals. Despite the victory, Ateneo coach Reggie Aromin emphasized the need for composure in closing out games. “We have to learn how to finish strong and not let our guard down in the endgame,” Aromin said.
For Adamson, Keefe Iledan scored 17 points and grabbed six rebounds, while Craig Fongton added 15 points and an impressive 20 rebounds, but their efforts fell short as the team dropped to 0-4.
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MANILA – Far Eastern University and University of the East both secured their second victories, joining De La Salle-Zobel at the top of the UAAP Season 87 high school basketball standings.
In a dominant performance at Smart Araneta Coliseum, the Baby Tamaraws triumphed over National University Nazareth School, 89-71.
Prince Cariño led FEU with 14 points and nine rebounds. CP Miranda added 13 points, five rebounds, and four assists, while Mark Dulin, Duke Santos, and Carl Diaz each contributed 11 points. Anton Lopez rounded out the effort with 10 points, eight rebounds, eight assists, and two steals.
Despite a strong showing from Yujin Peña, who posted 18 points and 11 rebounds, the Bullpups remain winless. The same fate befell the University of the Philippines Integrated School (UPIS) Maroons and Adamson University Baby Falcons, who are also yet to secure a win.
Baby Tamaraws assistant coach Arwind Santos emphasized their defensive strategy: “Our focus is on returning our defense from backcourt to frontcourt. We prioritize pressure defense regardless of the opponent.”
In another game, Filipino-Nigerian standout Goodluck Okebata powered the Junior Warriors to a decisive 91-44 victory over the UPIS Maroons, scoring 17 points, grabbing 13 rebounds, and blocking two shots. Coach Andrew Estrella praised the 14-year-old Okebata, noting his impressive performance and hard work.
Neil Garcia added 14 points and seven rebounds, while Gab Delos Reyes had 12 points, seven rebounds, two assists, and two blocks. Jared Ferreros and Jolo Pascual contributed 10 points each.
UPIS’s Jhustin Hallare led his team with 21 points and eight rebounds, supported by Bruce Tubongbanua’s 14 points and seven rebounds.
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MANILA – Defending champions University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigresses opened their UAAP Season 87 women’s basketball campaign with a commanding 86-44 victory over the University of the East Lady Warriors on Sunday (08 Sept 2024) at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Karylle Sierba, a standout from the UST High School program, led the Tigresses with 18 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals. She was supported by Kent Pastrana, the Season 86 Athlete of the Year, who added 15 points, 5 rebounds, and 7 assists. Rachelle Ambos also impressed with 13 points, 13 rebounds, and 8 steals.
“We just stuck to Coach Haydee Ong’s plan. With Tantoy [Ferrer] gone, we knew we had to step up,” said Ambos, referring to last year’s Finals MVP who graduated. UST took a dominant 41-24 halftime lead and expanded it to 86-40 with just over two minutes left in the game.
Despite the win, Coach Ong emphasized the need to address turnovers, saying, “We started off excited, which led to unforced errors. We’ll need to fix that in the coming games.”
For the Lady Warriors, Rachel Lacayanga managed 11 points and 7 rebounds, while Kamba Kone contributed 8 points and 4 rebounds.
Adamson University defeated Far Eastern University, 76-63, in another matchup. A 13-2 run powered by Cheska Apag, Elaine Etang, and Kat Agojo gave Adamson a comfortable 53-39 lead. Despite a brief FEU rally, the Lady Falcons responded with a 12-2 surge to secure the win.
Coach Ryan Monteclaro acknowledged the nerves surrounding the first game but praised his team for making a strong opening statement.
Apag led Adamson with 17 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals.
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MANILA – UAAP champion National University (NU) aims for a second victory against Emilio Aguinaldo College in the 2024 V-League Collegiate Challenge at Paco Arena on Sunday at 10 a.m.
Michaelo Buddin and Leo Aringo Jr. will lead the Bulldogs. NU assistant coach Dong Dela Cruz emphasized the importance of preparation, noting that “there are no weak teams in the V-League.”
In another men’s match, Ateneo de Manila faces Far Eastern University (FEU) at noon. The winner will potentially tie with NU at 2-0. Aimar Okeke will lead the Blue Eagles, while Mikko Espartero and Dryx Saavedra will guide the Tamaraws.
In the women’s division, defending champion College of Saint Benilde and FEU, both coming off losses, will clash at 3 p.m.
The University of the East (UE) Lady Warriors defeated the Lady Blazers 3-0, and the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons overcame FEU in a five-set thriller.
UAAP runner-up University of Santo Tomas (UST), which won against Lyceum of the Philippines University, will face UE at 5 p.m.
UST head coach Kungfu Reyes highlighted the need for adjustments, noting the impact of new and returning players on the team.
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MANILA — National University (NU) completed its redemption tour with a pulsating 25-23, 23-25, 27-25, 25-16 victory over the University of Santo Tomas (UST) in Game 2 of the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament Wednesday (15 May 2024) at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The tightly-fought match attracted a crowd of 22,515 fans.
Alyssa Solomon shone brightly, scoring 24 points on 20-of-37 attacks, leading the Lady Bulldogs to their second championship in three years and their fourth overall title.
After a heartbreaking loss to La Salle in last season’s Finals, NU had a slow start this tournament. However, newly-crowned two-time MVP Bella Belen remained consistent during tough times, and Solomon, a two-time Best Opposite Spiker, bounced back from a disappointing performance in the Final Four.
NU swept the season, claiming all collegiate volleyball titles, a feat unmatched since 2010. The Bulldogs clinched their fourth consecutive crown by sweeping UST for the second straight year in the best-of-three Finals, with a 25-21, 22-25, 25-17, 25-15 win in Game 2.
UST’s super rookie Angge Poyos, who suffered a right ankle injury in the Finals opener, started in Game 2, trying to lift the beleaguered Tigresses. However, the Lady Bulldogs displayed remarkable poise on the league’s biggest stage, reclaiming their throne.
Belen contributed significantly with 19 points, 11 digs, and nine receptions, while Sheena Toring added 13 points for NU. For UST, Xyza Gula led with 18 points and 10 digs, and Jonna Perdido logged 14 points.
In the men’s division, the Bulldogs, under the guidance of decorated mentor Dante Alinsunurin, secured their sixth title, the fourth in a row, making it the league’s first four-peat since the Golden Spikers from 2008-2011.
Sophomore outside spiker Buds Buddin delivered a game-high 28 points on 22-of-40 kills, five blocks, and had 16 receptions. Nico Almendras, in his final game for NU, scored 20 points with 17-of-33 attacks and three blocks, along with 17 receptions and six digs. Setter Owa Retamar contributed 26 excellent sets, nine digs, and three points.
“We’re extremely grateful. I saw the determination in my players as soon as we arrived here—they wanted this championship,” said Alinsunurin.
Josh Ybañez, the newly-minted two-time MVP, hammered 24 kills and had seven digs, while Gboy de Vega added 15 points and 15 receptions for the Golden Spikers.
Despite the loss, it was a commendable season for UST, becoming the first No. 4 team to reach the Finals after defeating top-ranked Far Eastern University twice in the Final Four. The turning point came in the third set of the women’s match, when Sheena Toring blocked Gula for the set point, helping the Lady Bulldogs overturn a 21-23 deficit to gain the upper hand.
(el Amigo/MNM)
Games Wednesday
(Mall of Asia Arena)
2 p.m. – UST vs NU (Men Finals)
4 p.m. – NU vs UST (Women Finals)
MANILA — The National University’s volleyball powerhouse continued its relentless pursuit of redemption and history, clinching victory in the UAAP women’s volleyball Finals opener against the University of Santo Tomas on Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Alyssa Solomon and Bella Belen led the charge, showcasing stellar performances that propelled the Lady Bulldogs to a decisive win, while the men’s team secured a commanding victory over UST, edging closer to a remarkable four-peat.
In a packed arena filled with 20,955 fervent fans, National University displayed sheer dominance, sweeping UST with scores of 25-23, 25-20, and 25-20.
Solomon, bouncing back from a previous setback, delivered a stellar performance with 17 points, including three crucial blocks.
Meanwhile, reigning MVP Bella Belen showcased her prowess with 13 powerful kills, complemented by eight digs and six receptions.
However, the victory was not without its challenges.
UST faced a setback as super rookie Angge Poyos sustained an injury, impacting the team’s dynamics. Despite the adversity, NU capitalized on their momentum, inching closer to championship glory.
With the men’s team also securing a resounding victory, NU eyes a historic four-peat, aiming to become the first team since 2011 to achieve this feat.
As the series progresses, the Lady Bulldogs remain focused on clinching the title in Game 2, wary of UST’s formidable resilience.
Coach Norman Miguel expressed his elation with the team’s performance, highlighting the execution of their game plan. Belen emphasized maintaining focus and intensity to secure victory in the upcoming matches.
As the spotlight shines on NU’s stellar performance, the Bulldogs gear up for Game 2, fueled by determination and a collective desire for glory.
With their eyes set on the prize, NU is poised to etch their name in the UAAP volleyball history again.
“Sa naging performance namin naging maganda yung resulta. Ito yung hinihintay ko sa mga players ko na nagsabay-sabay sila in terms of skills floor defense, atake namin, blockings namin nandito lahat ngayon,” said NU coach Dante Alinsunurin.
Buds Buddin, who missed the Bulldogs’ two losses to the Golden Spikers in the elims, was efficient with 15-of-30 kills and had nine excellent receptions.
“Kailangan pa namin pagtrabahuhan kasi alam namin yung UST gustong-gusto rin niyan manalo kaya alam namin na mas magpiprepare sila nang maayos and kami rin, magpiprepare nang maayos para makuha namin yung four-peat,” said Buddin.
(el Amigo/MNM)
NAISAAYOS ng National University ang titular showdown sa University of Santo Tomas makaraang walisin ang Far Eastern University, 25-13, 27-25, 25-15, sa UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament Final Four kagabi sa Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Ito na ang ikatlong sunod na finals appearance ng Lady Bulldogs.
Humataw si Bella Belen ng 21 points, habang nagdagdag si Sheena Toring ng 13 points para sa NU na may tsansa ngayon na mabawi ang UAAP crown na naagaw ng De La Salle Lady Spikers noong nakaraang season.
Walang Lady Tamaraw na umiskor ng double digits kung saan nagtala si Chenie Tagaod ng 9 points.
Naipuwersa ng FEU ang do or die game makaraang gulantangin ang top-seeded NU sa pagsisimula ng semis.
Samantala, sinelyuhan ng defending champion National University ang men’s volleyball championship rematch sa University of Santo Tomas makaraang gapiin ang La Salle sa Final Four.
Tinapos ng four-peat seeking second-ranked Bulldogs ang No. 3 Green Spikers, 25-23, 22-25, 25-22, 25-21, upang umusad sa Finals sa ika-9 na sunod na season.
Patuloy ang dominasyon ng NU sa division tulad sa nakalipas na walong seasons, kung saan nagwagi ito ng limang championships, kabilang ang apat mula kay decorated coach Dante Alinsunurin, at tatlong runner-up finishes.
Ang Golden Spikers, tinalo ang Bulldogs ng dalawang beses sa eliminations, ay naging unang No. 4 team na umabante sa championship round sa Final Four era.
Nakumpleto ng UST ang stunning reversal sa No. 1 Far Eastern University, 25-18, 21-25, 26-24, 26-24, upang selyuhan ang rematch ng last year’s championship series sa NU.
Nakatakda ang Game 1 ng best-of-three title series sa Linggo, alas-12 ng tanghali, sa Big Dome.
MANILA — Far Eastern University (FEU) clinched a vital edge in the semifinals with a commanding 25-17, 25-22, 25-22 triumph over the University of the Philippines (UP) in the UAAP Season 86 men’s volleyball tournament held at PhilSports Arena in Pasig City on Saturday (20 April 2024).
Maintaining their dominance, the Tamaraws extended their winning streak to eight games, solidifying their hold on the top spot with a 12-1 record.
Andrei Delicana led the charge with 11 points, eight of which came from powerful attacks. Zhydryx Saavedra contributed six spikes and two blocks, while Martin Bugaon added seven points, including two crucial blocks, for FEU.
The Tamaraws will conclude their elimination round campaign against defending champions National University at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City on April 24.
Reflecting on their performance, FEU coach Eddieson Orcullo emphasized the mental aspect, stating, “We are No. 1, which is a very challenging position. Aside from honing our skills, we will place a significant focus on our mental resilience.”
For UP, Louis Gamban led the charge with nine points and an ace, followed by Daniel Nicolas with six attacks and three blocks.
In another match, NU asserted their dominance by defeating Adamson University 25-19, 25-17, 25-16, reclaiming the second spot with a 10-3 record.
De La Salle, with a 9-3 slate, sits in third place and will square off against archrivals Ateneo de Manila University at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday.
As the race for the remaining semifinal slots intensifies, Ateneo (6-6) and the University of Santo Tomas (7-5) are battling for the last position. A win by UST over University of the East (1-11) will eliminate Ateneo.
Leo Aringo led NU with 12 attacks and two blocks, supported by Angelo Almendras with 13 attacks.
Adamson, led by Ahmed Tahiluddin with eight spikes and John Anthony Yboa with six points, will face Ateneo in their upcoming match.
(el Amigo/MNM)