National U, Adamson stay perfect heading into rematch of last season’s title series
National University-Nazareth School and Adamson University will head into their much-anticipated rematch of last season’s finals with perfect records after the defending champion Lady Bullpups and the Baby Falcons routed separate foes on Sunday.
The Bullpups lost just 21 points in grounding the Ateneo Baby Eagles, 25-7, 25-14, 25-6, while the Baby Falcons scored a dominant 25-4, 25-8, 25-14 rout of University of the East as both improved to 6-0 going into their clash that will end the first round of eliminations.
“We are really looking forward to our game against Adamson,” NUNS coach Karl Dimaculangan said in Filipino. “There are still a lot of things we need to improve on. The match against Adamson, which we have been thinking of as early as last week, will be a truly special one.”
Ysabella Cruz led the Bullpups with 11 points, while Diza Berayo chipped in nine points off seven attacks and two aces, along with 12 excellent digs. Slash Obera and Akeyla Bartolabac contributed eight points apiece.
Ateneo lost for the sixth straight game, like the Junior Lady Warriors.
Janessa Buhay and Kristal Martin powered another balanced showing for Adamson with eight points each while playing just two sets. The match wrapped up in just 49 minutes. Buhay dominated from the service line with six aces, while Martin posted four attacks and a block. Janna Dizon, Sofia Baloloy and Seanne Ordonio added five apiece, all in just two sets of play.
“I always remind my players to always play their best,” Adamson coach JP Yude said in Filipino. “And it will be up to the Lord what the result will be.
“We go back to the drawing board, prepare as hard as we can (for the match with NUNS),” Yude added. “We have to be prepared to play against them mentally, that’s a big thing, because there will be a lot of pressure (in that game).
Meanwhile, University of Santo Tomas stayed on a roll, dispatching De La Salle Zobel in four hard-fought sets, 25-21, 28-26, 22-25, 27-25, for its third straight win.
Nicole Pelaez starred with 19 points built on 16 kills and two aces, while Kim Rubin added 16 from 15 attacks in the one-hour and 52-minute match. Adrianna Menchavez and Erin Sotto finished with 11 points apiece.
Aneeza Santos dished out 16 excellent sets, while libero Chasliey Pepito anchored the floor with 22 excellent digs.
For the Junior Lady Spikers, Zeianne Laborte topscored with 18 points on 15 attacks and two aces, as Kylie Celada added 17, all on attacks, in the losing effort.
The victory pushed UST to solo third at 4-2, sending DLSZ to an even 3-3 slate.
