By ADRIAN STEWART CO
Negrense Diza Berayo rose to the occasion, carrying defending champion National University-Nazareth School (NUNS) Lady Bullpups to a 22-25, 32-30, 25-21, 25-21 victory over the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Junior Golden Tigresses in the UAAP Season 88 high school girls’ volleyball opener at the Blue Eagle Gym in Quezon City on Sunday, September 21.
Berayo was the steadying force for NUNS, igniting their fightback in the second set where she went head-to-head with UST’s Patricia Mendoza in a thrilling exchange.
Despite UST reaching set point four times, NUNS clawed back, with Ysabella Cruz producing a crucial block and Akeyla Bartolabac delivering the finishing blow to level the match.
The Junior Golden Tigresses tried to mount a comeback in the fourth, erasing a 9-3 NUNS cushion with a seven-point run for a brief 10-9 advantage.
However, Berayo took over in the endgame, scoring the last two points capped by a match-clinching kill.
“Nakakatuwa kasi everybody nagse-step up, tsaka ‘yung composure naman nila kahit nada-down kami [o] nagkakamali sila, nandun,” NUNS head coach Karl Dimaculangan said.
“Nire-remind lang talaga namin sila na hindi nila maiiwasan ‘yung pressure. And ‘yung kabahan sila, laging nandyan pero [nasa kanila na] kung paano nila iha-handle,” he added.
Berayo finished with a game-high 24 points built on 21 attacks and two aces, while also tallying eight digs to anchor NUNS’s floor defense.
Bartolabac supported her with 17 points, while Micaella Gould orchestrated the offense with 14 excellent sets.
UST drew 19 points from Nicole Pelaez, while Negrense Kimberly Rubin chipped in 12.
Libero Chasliey Pepito provided stability at the back with 21 digs.
Elsewhere, Adamson University Lady Baby Falcons launched their bid with a 25-20, 25-18, 25-16 sweep of Far Eastern University-Diliman, behind Ellaine Gonzalvo’s 18-point performance.
University of the Philippines-Integrated School spoiled University of the East’s return, taking a 25-23, 25-11, 25-16 victory, while De La Salle Zobel rolled past Ateneo de Manila University, 25-16, 25-14, 25-20, to round out the day’s matches./ASC, WDJ