By ADRIAN STEWART CO

The National University Nazareth School (NUNS) Lady Bullpups reclaimed the UAAP high school girls’ volleyball title, dethroning the Adamson University Lady Baby Falcons with a commanding 33-31, 25-19, 25-17 victory in Game 2 of the finals at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion Arena in Manila on Saturday, December 7.

Negrense Rihanna Navarro orchestrated the Lady Bullpups’ offense with five excellent sets, to go with two points, as they wrapped up the best-of-three title series at 2-0.

Denesse Daylisan led the way with 18 points on 17 kills and a service ace, Diza Berayo added 11 points, and finals MVP Harlyn Serneche tallied nine points and collected nine digs for NUNS.

“Syempre po nakaka-speechless ‘yung nangyari sa amin,” the graduating Serneche said.

“Pinag-usapan talaga namin before the season na ibabalik po namin ‘yung korona hanggang sa abot ng makakaya namin,” she added.

This championship marks NUNS’ seventh overall, making them the second-winningest team in the tournament’s history, behind De La Salle Zobel’s 10 titles.

“In terms of composition ng team, parang naging mabilis ‘yung mga changes. So nakakatuwa lang na naka-adjust lahat even ako as coach since first ko mag-head sa high school. ‘Yung hard work namin [na] paid off naman,” Lady Bullpups head coach Karl Dimaculangan said.

Season 87 Rookie of the Year Ellaine Gonzalvo tallied 12 points, season MVP Sam Cantada added 10, and team captain Abby Segui contributed nine for the Season 86 champions Lady Baby Falcons./ASC, WDJ