National University (NU)-Nazareth School is now solo third in the UAAP Season 87 girls’ volleyball tournament after a five-set win against Adamson University on Wednesday, October 2, at the Paco Arena in Manila.
The Lady Bullpups overturned a one-set deficit to stun the defending champions, 16-25, 25-23, 25-20, 23-25, 15-13, to improve to 3-1 and take solo third in the league standings.
It also gave NU-Nazareth a measure of revenge, as they lost to the Baby Falcons in last year’s championship series.
This is already the second loss of Adamson this season, as they bowed to University of Santo Tomas (UST) — also in five sets — in their first game.
“At least nakaka-adjust na rin ‘yung mga players sa competitive level ng UAAP,” said NU-Nazareth coach Karl Dimaculangan, who has 10 players in his squad and just four holdovers from last season’s squad.
“Malaking bagay na nanalo kami ngayon sa game na ‘to, lalo na sa defending champions,” he added.
“Alam pa namin malayo pa, kasi may second round pa, pero at least nakakakuha kami ng panalo.”
NU-Nazareth capitalized on Adamson’s errors to build a 7-5 lead in the decider, before a Sam Cantada kill and an error by Harlyn Serneche brought the Baby Falcons within one, 13-12.
A service error by Ellaine Gonzalvo gave NU match point, but Abby Segui responded with a strong attack to keep Adamson alive.
It was the closest that the Baby Falcons got, however, as Jenely Jacob fired a kill to wrap up the win for the Lady Bullpups.
Serneche led NU-Nazareth with 16 points on 13 kills and three aces, while Denesse Daylisan and Jacob each finished with 10 points. Rihanna Navarro was credited with 15 excellent sets.
Cantada was the bright spot for Adamson with 23 points on 22 attacks.
In an earlier match, University of Santo Tomas improved to 4-0 after overwhelming the University of the Philippines-Integrated School, 25-7, 25-7, 25-18.
Kim Rubin led UST with 11 points — including seven service aces — in just two sets of action, while Reeza Abayon and Jezel Silvestre each had seven points while playing for just one set.
The Junior Tigresses tied Far Eastern University-Diliman at the top of the standings, while the Fighting Maroons dropped to sixth place with their 1-4 slate. (ABS-CBN News)