By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Diza Berayo of the National University Nazareth School (NUNS) Lady Bullpups was named the top individual player in the UAAP Season 88 high school girls’ volleyball tournament at the Blue Eagle Gym in Quezon City.

The 17-year-old outside spiker from Negros Occidental’s Silay City, dominated the race for the league’s top individual award, earning 97.959 statistical points (SPs) — 5.193 SPs ahead of Far Eastern University – Diliman’s Nigerian opposite spiker MJ Udeagbala.

“Hindi ko in-expect ‘tong award. Actually, ang goal lang namin this season is to retain the championship. Thankful ako na binigay sa ‘kin ni Lord ‘to, pero ang focus namin is to win the championship again,” she said.

Berayo was the league’s second-leading scorer with 199 points, generated from 170 attacks at 36.09 percent efficiency (third in the league), nine blocks and 20 aces (seventh).

She also ranked fifth in digs (2.41 per set) and third in reception efficiency at 32.70 percent.

The graduating spiker led NUNS to a 13-1 record in the elimination round and joined an elite Lady Bullpups club alongside former MVPs Faith Nisperos (UAAP Season 79 in 2016), Bella Belen (Seasons 80 and 82 in 2017 and 2019), and Kianne Olango (Season 85 in 2022)./ASC, WDJ