Source: Manila Bulletin
-- The Shakey’s V-League unwraps its ninth season on April 24 with one of the most power-packed cast in years, guaranteeing a slam-bang battle for women’s volleyball supremacy at The Arena in San Juan City.
With the league’s winningest team – University of Santo Tomas – back in the mix after a two-year hiatus, the title race is expected to be fierce as the nine other teams have the skill and talent to go all the way.
Ateneo goes all out to defend its crown, former champions Adamson and San Sebastian are raring to get another title crack, Far Eastern University, Letran, University of Perpetual Help and National University are all primed up for the big one and Visayan squads Southwestern U and University of St. La Salle-Bacolod are out to make an impression.
“This is going to be a wide-open race. All teams have got what it takes to win,” said Ricky Palou, president of the organizing Sports Vision.
“The return of UST makes its doubly interesting,” he added.
Truly, focus will be on UST, which dominated the Shakey’s Pizza-sponsored league with six victories, including three straight from 2009-10 until it took a leave of absence following the graduation of its star players.
To underscore its desire to put up a highly competitive team, UST has tapped the services of former MVP Mary Jean Balse and Thai ace Patcharee Sangmuang, who hope to combine well with mainstays Katrina Carangan, Jamie Morado, Maruja Banaticla, Judy Caballejo, Maika Ortiz and skipper Rhea Dimaculangan.
But Ateneo, which beat Adamson to score a breakthrough in the first conference of the league last year, remains as solid as ever with resident Thai guest player Lithawat Kesinee backstopping a squad headed by power-hitter Alyssa Valdez, Gretchen Ho, Dzi Gervacio, Jessica Bagatsing, Jamenea Ferrer and Fille Cainglet.
Source: Ivan de Lara, ABS-CBN News
-- Siblings playing in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) volleyball are not entirely new.
De La Salle University used to have Desiree and Celine Hernandez, and now Camille and Philip Cerveza. Adamson University fielded in Maydee and Lizlee Ann Gata.
Ateneo de Manila University takes pride in Paolo and AJ Pareja. University of the Philippines has Dominico and Clarize Lucindo in the roster while University of Santo Tomas (UST) used to be bannered by Mary Jean and Reny John Balse.
But perhaps no other sibling tandem is as fascinating and as successful as UST’s Karl and Rhea Dimaculangan.
Just recently, the Dimaculangan siblings led the Tigers and the Tigresses to a sweet and rare double sweep of the seniors’ volleyball championships. They also bagged the Best Server awards in the men’s and women’s divisions.
“We (the Tigresses) expected to win the championship,” Rhea admitted. “We knew we got the momentum after our Game 1 win.”
Contrasting initiations
In a game where the spikers stand out more because they deliver the points, Rhea and Karl have managed to make a name for themselves as setters.
Before becoming the playmakers, however, the Dimaculangan siblings used to be hitters during their elementary days.
Karl started training as a setter when he entered the De La Salle-Lipa High School team while Rhea was converted into her team’s playmaker when she was in Grade 5.
Rhea then moved on to become UST High School’s setter, playing with the likes of Carmela Lopez, Kimberly Lazaro, Michelle del Rosario, Maruja Banaticla, Alyssa Valdez and Kimberly Fajardo.
She was heavily wooed by other collegiate teams but decided to play on for the senior’s volleyball team of her alma mater.
“I stayed in UST because of my course,” said Rhea, a 3rd Year BS Sports Science student. “I definitely made the right choice to stay in UST.”
Karl, on the other hand, admitted he received little fanfare from recruiters. “I was not heavily recruited,” said Karl. “But my mindset was really to play for UST in college.”
Despite their contrasting initiations to collegiate volleyball, the two immediately made impact for the Tigers and the Tigresses as they replaced UST’s two famed setters, Christian Fernandez and Denise Tan.
Super setters
In March 2008, Karl and the rest of the Tigers upset the four-peat-seeking Far Eastern University Tamaraws in the UAAP Finals. Many believed that, being a young team then, the Tigers could just spring more promise. And they delivered.
The Tigers swept the competition in Season 71, losing only 3 sets that entire year, to win the championship. Boasting of a lineup that had solid hitters such as Reny Balse, Reno Roque, Robertly Boto, John Paul Torres, Henry Pecaña, Harby Ilano and Jayson Ramos, UST left its opponents eating dust.
But it was skipper Karl and his reliable setting job that held the pieces together for the Tigers. That year, he won the Finals Most Valuable Player award, a rare feat for a setter like him.
“I was proud and flattered,” said Karl on being named MVP. “I did not expect the award because setters hardly get any recognition.”
Not to be outdone, Rhea capped the Tigresses’ dominance of the first conference of the Shakey’s V-League’s 6th season with a Finals MVP plum of her own. She bested volleyball greats Mary Jean Balse and Michelle Carolino and teammate Aiza Maizo for the honor. The España-based volleybelles went on to win the second conference of the tournament, with Rhea still serving as the team’s court general.
In the 72nd Season of the UAAP, statistics showed that Rhea and Karl were just ranked 4th and 6th in the setting department of the women’s and men’s divisions, respectively. These rankings, however, belied the siblings’ contributions as they carried their teams to the championships.
Karl, who was playing his last year in the tournament, was instrumental in the Tigers’ three-peat success this season.
“I just wanted to do my best,” said Karl. “I wanted to help the team win the championship because that would be the legacy I would be leaving to UST.”
Rhea, on the other hand, was noticeably one of the biggest factors why the Tigresses edged out the De La Salle Lady Archers. Despite her team’s less-than-ideal reception, she was able to set up plays for hitters Maizo, Banaticla, Angeli Tabaquero, Maika Ortiz, Judy Ann Cabellejo, and Denise Santiago.
“Rhea is very important to the team,” said Tigresses coach Shaq delos Santos. “Bihira makahanap ng setter na katulad niyang mag-isip at dumiskarte.”
Rhea’s decision-making skills ultimately earned her another Finals MVP trophy, this time in the UAAP. “I am just so happy, I did not expect this,” said Rhea, who looked surprised as she accepted the award.
No sibling rivalry
While some people might compare one with the other, Karl and Rhea clarified that they do not have a sibling rivalry going on. The two have 3 other siblings.
“There is no sibling rivalry between us,” Karl said “We are close and supportive of each other.”
Karl, being the older brother, said he supports Rhea by giving her tips and advice which she can use inside the court or in life.
Rhea said she watches Karl’s games whenever she has time. “I am so proud of him, and I look up to him,” Rhea said.
The similarities between Karl and Rhea were on full display in the recently-concluded Finals. Both of them saved almost-botched plays, and they were also able to outwit their opponents with their surprising and effective drop shots.
With his collegiate volleyball eligibility already over, Karl is now concentrating on other plans.
“I will miss the fans and the joy of playing for the school,” Karl said. “I will focus on my studies, and if there is a chance for me to play for the national team, I will.”
Rhea admitted that her brother’s UAAP graduation saddens her, but disclosed her goals for her own volleyball career.
“Hopefully, the team will win more championships and that I get to play for the national team after college,” Rhea said.
Amid the deafening cheers of their fans and despite all the accolades they have been given, Karl and Rhea still consider their family as their most important possession.
“My proudest moment is whenever our parents would go to Manila to watch our games,” said Rhea, whose parents watched the championship games live last February.
Their parents must be beaming with pride. They have raised 2 extraordinary volleyball players and 5 amazing children.
Source: GMA News
-- Reigning titlist De La Salle continued its unbeaten rampage in the 72nd UAAP women’s volleyball tournament, notching its 10 straight win at the expense of Far Eastern U, 25-16, 25-23, 25-14 Wednesday at The Arena in San Juan.
Stephanie Mercado punched in 13 spikes while last year’s Best Blocker Jacqueline Alarca also contributed nine hits, three service aces and a block as the Lady Archers formally clinched the first Final Four seat and stood four games away from a two-round sweep.
“Just like I’ve said before, we’re not thinking of a sweep. Basta one game at a time lang kami and so far, maganda naman ang tinatakbo ng team," said La Salle mentor Ramil de Jesus, whose wards have actually won 12 straight games dating back to last year’s finals.
FEU, which was led by Cherry May Vivas’ 15 points, dropped to solo fifth place with an even 5-5 win-loss slate.
La Salle’s rivals, Ateneo, also pulled off a victory, repeating over tailender National University, 25-23, 25-20, 25-22, in the other game.
It was the Lady Eagles’ sixth win in 10 outings which tied them with the Adamson Lady Falcons in third to fourth positions and enhanced their chances to make it to the semis.
Fille Cainglet led the Lady Eagles with 13 markers, backstopped by Angeline Gervacio who had 10.
Source: Anthony Divinagracia, abs-cbnnews.com
-- Perennial contender Far Eastern University turned back a gritty Ateneo squad, 23-25, 25-18, 25-21, 25-21, to move on top of the standings with defending champion UST in the 72nd UAAP men’s volleyball tournament last Sunday at the Arena in San Juan.
Nestor Molate fired 25 points, including 21 attacks, 2 blocks and 2 aces, to help FEU match UST’s league-leading 4-1 record going into the Christmas break. He got ample support from Joshua Alcarde and skipper Rodolfo Labrador who tallied 16 and 10 markers, respectively.
Ateneo meanwhile fell deeper into the hole, absorbing its third straight loss to share identical 1-4 cards with National University, which earlier took an 11-25, 19-25, 16-25 bashing from University of the Philippines in the first game.
Andre Pareja scored 15 points built on 13 attacks and two blocks to pace the Eagles while teammates Narciso Intal, Jr. and Duabe Teves added 11 and nine markers, respectively.
The Maroons, who ties University of the East at second place with a 3-2 mark, drew steady firepower from Dominic Lucindo (15 points, 13 attacks) and Mark Sagad (13 points, 10 attacks) to dispose of NU in 54 minutes.
Jan Adorador was the only bright spot for NU, chalking up 12 points all from the attack line.
Back on track
Last Saturday, defending champion UST trashed UE, 27-25, 25-18, 25-15, to stay on top of the men’s volleyball standings.
The lopsided affair boosted UST’s record to 4-1 but importantly erased the stigma of its 23-25, 25-21, 25-27, 20-25 loss against archrival FEU last December 16 which snapped its 21-game winning streak hinged on an unprecedented Season 71 sweep.
Hendry Pecaña and Salvador Depante led UST’s charge with 14 and 13 points, respectively built on 10 attacks each.
UE, which pulled off a 21-25, 29-27, 25-21, 22-25, 15-13 squeaker over Season 71 runner-up UP last December 15, drew 22 markers from Benchard Pedrano and Dominic Estrada but failed to get main man Homer Lauresta into the Warriors’ offensive brew.
Lauresta, who torched UP with 23, could only muster a single hit this time as UST ruled the attack (44-30), block (11-3) and service (5-3) departments to cap the one-hour encounter.
The Warriors now tote a 3-2 card for solo third.
Source: gmanews.tv
-- Adamson waylaid University of the East in straight sets, 25-7, 25-16, 25-12, to grab solo second spot in the 72nd UAAP women’s volleyball tournament Sunday at The Arena in San Juan.
The win raised the Lady Falcons’ slate to 4-1, just a game behind defending champion La Salle which sports a spotless 5-0 mark entering the Christmas break.
Pau Soriano topscored with 15 points for the San Marcelino-based volleybelles, who also drew 14 points from team captain Angela Benting and 11 hits from Jill Gustilo.
“Maganda ang nilaro ng mga bata at nage-enjoy sa game, kahit nga yung mga second stingers excited nang makapasok kanina," said Adamson coach Dulce Pante.
Also chalking up a win was last year’s runner-up Far Eastern U, which posted a 25-17, 25-18, 22-25, 25-16 win over the National U Lady Bulldogs.
It was the Lady Tams' second straight win for 3-2 overall, giving them a share of third with idle University of Sto. Tomas and Ateneo.
Cherry Vivas punched in 21 points while skipper Mary Rose Cabanag and Monique Tiangco added 17 and 16, respectively, to offset the absence of top hitter Shaira Gonzales due to shin injury.
NU absorbed its fifth straight setback to remain in the cellar. Slightly above the Lady Bulldogs in the standings were the UE Lady Warriors and the University of the Philipines Lady Maroons with identical 1-4 win-loss cards.
Source: gmanews.tv
-- Reigning titlist De La Salle University remained unbeaten going into the Christmas break as it demolished University of the Philippines, 25-18, 26-24, 25-14 Saturday in the 72nd UAAP women’s volleyball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.
Stephanie Mercado, daughter of 1980s Asia's Sprint Queen Lydia de Vega Mercado, scored 17 hits and a block as she paced the Lady Archers in notching their fifth straight victory.
Charleen Cruz contributed 13 points for the Taft-based squad, which only took one hour and eight minutes to dispose of the Lady Maroons (1-4).
Reserves Camille Cerveza and Isabella Lepping each put in three service aces out of the Lady Archers’ 11 total, to give the veterans a significant lift.
"Lagi kong sinasabi sa mga seniors ng team na gandahan ang kanilang laro para mabigyan ko rin ng exposure yung mga rookies at mga reserves. Sila kasi ang papalit sa kanila kapag wala na sila sa team," said La Salle mentor Ramil de Jesus.
Carmela Lopez had 14 points while Cathy Barcelon added 10 hits for the Lady Maroons, who were only in the game in the second set.
The volleybelles from Diliman took a 24-23 lead in the second frame but failed to wrap it up when Barcelon’s hit went outside. Mercado then scored two straight kills to end up the set in favor of La Salle.
The Lady Archers did not give the Lady Maroons much chance in the third set, seizing an unassailable 19-9 advantage spiked by Lepping's back-to-back service aces.
Source: gmanews.tv
-- Defending men's champion University of Santo Tomas clobbered erstwhile co-leader University of the East, 27-25, 25-18, 25-15, to bounce back into the winner's circle in 72nd UAAP volleyball tournament Saturday at The Arena in San Juan City.
Hendry Pecana and Salvador Depante scored 10 hits and two blocks each which was spiced by three service aces to lead the Tigers’ onslaught that gave them their fourth win in five outings.
It was UST’s first triumph since getting their amazing 21-game winning streak dating back to the 2007 finals snapped by the Tamaraws last week, giving the Tigers the solo lead in the tournament.
The Warriors dropped to solo third with 3-2 win-loss card.
In the other men's game, Adamson upstaged De La Salle University, 25-22, 25-14, 25-22, to improve its own standing.
Nito Jeruz scored eight hits and four service aces as he bannered the Falcons to the win that moved them up to fifth spot from the tailened in a tie with their prey at 2-3.
John Hendrix Competente and Mark Christian Exconde added 11 and 10 points, respectively, for the San Marcelino-based spikers.
On the other end, Chris Macasaet topscored for the Green Archers with 19 points but he failed to get enough support from his teammates.
Meanwhile, the Tamaraws seek to join the Tigers at the helm when they take on the Ateneo Blue Eagles in the second game Sunday at 11 a.m.
Last year's runner-up University of the Philippines and National University tangle in the 9 a.m. opener.
Source: Jonas Terrado, mb.com.ph
-- Defending women’s champion La Salle dispatched University of the East, 25-21, 25-20, 25-21, even as Far Eastern University snapped the 21-game winning run of reigning men’s titlist University of Santo Tomas Wednesday in the 72nd UAAP volleyball tournament at The Arena in San Juan.
Stephanie Mercado had another monster game with 19 points while Charleen Cruz added 12 as the Lady Archers remained undefeated in women’s action.
The Lady Archers needed a little over an hour to beat the Lady Warriors.
In the other game, Adamson got 21 points from Angela Benting and 20 from Pau Soriano to defeat Ateneo, 25-18, 23-25, 25-20, 25-20, for its third win in four outings – the same record of University of Santo Tomas.
In men's action, the Tamaraws drew huge game from Rodolfo Labrador to become the first team to beat the Tigers in two years, 25-23, 21-25, 27-25, 25-20.
The hard-hitting Labrador sizzled with 17 points.
Despite the defeat, the Tigers, who got 18 points from John Paul Torres, remained on top pf the leaderboard with a 3-1 mark.
Source: gmanews.tv
-- Adamson stunned Ateneo, 25-27, 18-25, 26-24, 25-21, 15-13, Tuesday to get the Eagles’ company in the cellar of the 72nd UAAP men’s volleyball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.
Nilo Jerus posted 15 hits, three blocks and an ace while Diober Reyes and Armando Maleon had 13 points apiece as the Falcons notched their first win after starting the tournament with three successive losses.
The Eagles suffered their third setback in four games to join Adamson at the bottom of the standings.
The loss also put to waste the double-digit output of five of Ateneo’s first six - Duane Craig Teves’ 19, John Joseph Sandoval’s 15, Andre John Pareja’s 13 and Narciso Intal Jr. and Neil Patrick Flores’ 10 apiece.
Also claiming a surprise win was University of the East, which upstaged last year's runner-up University of the Philippines, 21-25, 29-27, 25-21, 22-25, 15-13.
Three Red Warriors scored more than 20 points – Homer Lauresta with 23 and Dominic Estrada and Banchard Pedrano with 21 each - to spearhead the Recto-based squad to the upset win and a 3-1 win-loss slate behind University of Sto, Tomas’ leading 3-0.
The Fighting Maroons, who drew 18 points from Michael Jordan Arda, dropped to an even 2-2 card.
3 straight for the Tigresses
In the women's division, UST cruised to its third straight victory, a 25-10, 25-14, 25-13 drubbing of winless National U.
"Nahuli naming off lang ang NU. Hindi ko expected na ganyan kababa ang ilalaro nila unlike yung first three games. With the exception sa mga service errors namin, okay lang ang laro ng team," said UST mentor Cesael delos Santos, whose wards are now 3-1 after an opening-day loss to defending champion La Salle.
Judy Ann Caballejo had her finest game so far for UST with 13 hits while twin towers Aiza Maizo and Maika Ortiz dished out 12 and 11 points, respectively.
Nobody among the Lady Bulldogs (0-4) finished in double figures with Mervic Mangui leading their cause with eight points.
Source: gmanews.tv
-- Defending women’s champion La Salle clinched the solo lead with a 25-15, 25-17, 25-20 victory over erstwhile co-leader Adamson in the 72nd UAAP volleyball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.
Jacqueline Alarca, last year’s Best Blocker, had 10 hits while Stephanie Mercado, Abigail Marano and Joanne Siy added eight points each as the Lady Archers chalked up their third straight triumph.
“Siguro hindi maganda yung nilaro ng Adamson. Hindi namin ine-expect na magiging ganito ka-off ang Adamson; parang halos lahat sila off e," said La Salle coach Ramil De Jesus, whose wards only took one hour and one minute to dispose of Adamson.
The loss dropped the Lady Falcons to second spot with a 2-1 win-loss card, in a tie with University of Santo Tomas and Ateneo.
The Tigresses hacked out a 25-18, 29-27, 25-21 win over Far Eastern U for their second straight win after opening the season with a setback to La Salle.
Rookie sensation Maruja Banaticla topscored with 15 markers for the Tigresses, who foiled the 24-point production of Cherry Vivas and dealt the Lady Tams their second loss in three games.
Ateneo made it a three-way tie for No. 2 as it clobbered National University, 25-18, 25-20, 25-21.
Earlier, University of the Philippines finally made it to the winner’s circle with a 25-16, 25-15, 20-25, 25-23 edging of University of the East.
With the victory, the Lady Maroons joined their victim, FEU and National University at 1-2 win-loss slate.
Source: abs-cbnnews.com
-- UST, UP and Ateneo also prevail
Pre-season favorites De La Salle University (DLSU) and University of Santo Tomas (UST) disposed of separate opponents on Sunday to improve their respective win-loss cards in the 72nd UAAP women’s volleyball tournament at the Arena in San Juan City.
La Salle nailed its third straight win via a 25-15, 25-17 25-20 demolition of a listless Adamson University while UST climbed to 2-1 after holding back a gritty Far Eastern University (FEU) side, 25-18, 29-27, 25-21.
“We just caught Adamson off guard today. They were not able to play the way they used to… on a higher level. Our blocking and receiving game also clicked and that made it difficult for them to catch up,” La Salle coach Ramil de Jesus said.
The Lady Archers capitalized on the attacking errors of Adamson in the first set and the temporary absence of its open hitter, Jill Gustillo, who sprained her right knee at the height of La Salle’s 10-0 onslaught to reach match point.
La Salle practically re-asserted its dominance over the Lady Falcons in the second frame, leading by as much as 17-6 on the combined offensive thrusts of Jacqueline Alarca, Charlene Cruz and rookie Joanne Siy. Camille Cerveza closed the set with back-to-back quick hits.
Pouncing on Adamson’s shaky floor defense in the third set, La Salle zoomed ahead, 11-5, capped by an Abigail Maraño quick.
The Lady Falcons came within 14-18 on Gustillo’s crosscourt smash. But service errors stalled Adamson’s comeback as Cruz, Alarca and Siy pushed La Salle further, 23-16, for good.
Alarca, who is still nursing an injured right knee, paced La Salle with 10 points all from the attack line while Stephanie Mercado, Maraño and Siy chipped in 8 markers apiece.
Angela Benting and Gustillo, meanwhile, scored 10 points each for Adamson.
Long way to go
The Tigresses, meantime, rebounded from a lethargic 8-11 start in the second canto behind the heads-up plays of Angeli Tabaquero and newcomer Maru Banaticla whose down-the-line kill gave UST a 21-16 margin.
FEU tenaciously hung on, knotting the count at 22-all on April Jose’s ace and a Cherry Vivas block as both teams disputed five lead changes at the turn before UST iced the contest with a pair of Banaticla kills against a Shaira Gonzalez error.
UST sat on an 8-3 cushion to open the third set. But the Tigresses’ service woes allowed FEU to draw level at 17-all.
That, however, proved to be FEU’s last stand as Banaticla, Hannah Mance and setter Rhea Dimaculangan conspired in a searing 6-2 run to rebuild the UST lead, 23-18.
A Vivas foray which sailed wide and a Tabaquero placing finalized the outcome for the Tigresses.
“We were a little inconsistent in blocking Vivas that’s why FEU managed to keep the scores close in the last two sets. Some of the players were a little off today but patience saw us through. We still have a long way to go in this tournament,” UST coach Shaq delos Santos said.
Banaticla led UST with 15 points while Maizo added 9, including 5 blocks. Dimaculangan and Tabaquero had 8 markers each.
Vivas tallied a game-high 24 points while Gonzales backed her up with 9 points for the FEU squad.
UST is now tied with Adamson and Ateneo de Manila University in second place with identical 2-1 records.
Ateneo also scored a 25-18, 25-20, 25-21 victory over National University in the first game. Dzi Gervacio and Fille Canglet topscored for Ateneo with 12 points each.
The University of the Philippines (UP), meanwhile, repulsed University of the East, 25-16, 25-15, 20-25, 25-23, behind the 18-point effort of Southlyn Ramos.
Source: abs-cbnnews.com
-- UST remains unbeaten
University of the Philippines (UP) weathered a late comeback by De La Salle University to fashion out a pulsating 25-18, 25-23, 23-25, 28-30, 15-11 squeaker in the 72nd UAAP men’s volleyball tournament at the Ateneo Blue Eagle Gym Saturday.
The win improved UP’s record to 2-1 while La Salle absorbed its second defeat in 3 games.
“We had a little difficulty executing our plays in the latter part of the game. We couldn’t match La Salle’s firepower point-for-point with poor execution so we changed our game plan by rotating the whole team on offense and having 3 attackers to stop their topspiker,” UP coach Vip Isada said.
The Maroons’ gamble paid off as La Salle main man Chris Macasea, who top scored for the Archers with 26 points, including 23 attacks, was limited to only 3 hits in the decisive fifth set where UP built a commanding 10-5 lead on back-to-back kills by Mark Sagad.
La Salle sliced the deficit to only 2 on rookie John dela Vega’s crosscourt smash but another Sagad kill and a Lloyd Belgado block sandwiched a lifting violation by the Archers, which restored the UP advantage back to five, 13-8.
But the Archers desperately hung on as Justin Mariano fired a kill and Macasaet rifled a pair of open attacks to push La Salle within, 11-13. Yet La Salle’s blockers missed a token denial of a Samuel Paquiz crosscourt foray, allowing UP to clinch match point before reliever Lance Valenzona settled the outcome with an ace.
Michael Arda topscored for UP with 20 attack points while Sagad and Dominico Lucindo added 13 each.
The Maroons seized early control of the game, dominating the first 2 sets before La Salle went on redemption mode to force a winner-take-all fifth set.
La Salle scored the last 4 points of the third frame to erase a 21-23 UP margin before outlasting the Maroons in the fourth canto.
The Archers engaged the Maroons in a nip-and-tuck affair until the 28-all mark which saw La Salle break away for good on dela Vega’s placing and Samuel Lubi and Jason Alejandro’s two-man block.
UST, UE, NU win
In the curtain-raiser, defending champion UST extended its winning streak to 21 games as it pulled off a come-from-behind 19-25, 19-25, 25-18, 25-22, 15-10 victory over Ateneo de Manila University.
John Paul Torres paced UST with 18 points anchored on 15 attacks and 2 blocks while rookie Salvador Depante chipped in 15 and Hendry Pecaña and Jayson Ramos had 12 apiece.
Ateneo drew strength from the 18-point output of Andre Pareja.
Meanwhile, University of the East (UE) swept traditional men’s volleyball powerhouse Far Eastern University (FEU), 25-15, 26-24, 27-25 in the second game behind the combined 37-point performance of Dominic Estrada, Benchard Pedrano, and Homer Lauresta. Nester Molaste led FEU with 7 hits.
In the fourth game, National University (NU) clinched its first win by disposing Adamson University.
Source: Joey Villar, abs-cbnnews.com
-- Pau Soriano and Jill Gustilo came away with 12 hits apiece as Adamson walloped National U, 25-10, 25-10, 25-12, to post its second straight win in the UAAP volleyball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City Friday.
The win came on the heels of the Lady Falcons’ victory over the FEU Lady Tams in the opening day.
FEU, meanwhile, fought back from a six-point deficit in the fourth set as it turned back University of the East, 25-22, 25-20, 21-25, 26-24, in the other game.
The Lady Tams leaned on Cherry Vivas, who came through with big hits to lead the team’s rally from a 17-23 deficit to force a 24-all count in the fourth set. FEU, now without former top hitter Rachel Daquis, then took the next two points to clinch the set and the match.
Shaira Gonzalez scored a career-best 27 hits she laced with four aces while Vivas finished with 26, including five straight in the fourth frame.
“We really needed a leader in the team and accept Rachel (Daquis) is not in the team anymore,” said FEU coach Nes Pamilar in Filipino.
Mary Cristel Rosale unloaded 18 hits, including 14 attacks, while Leuseht Dawis scattered 11 for UE, also with a 1-1 card.
Univ. of Santo Tomas, meanwhile, relied on Maru Banaticla and Maika Ortiz as it ripped University of the Philippines, 25-18, 25-15, 25-20, to likewise barge into the win column.
Banaticla made 14 hits while Ortiz chipped in 13 points to help the Tigresses bounced back from a heartbreaking five-set defeat to the La Salle Archers.
The Lady Bulldogs and Lady Maroons both fell to 0-2.
Source: gmanews.tv
-- Three-peat-seeking University of Santo Tomas ripped Adamson University, 25-13, 25-13, 23-25, 25-16, to nail its second straight win in the 72nd UAAP volleyball tournament Wednesday at the Blue Eagle Gym.
John Paul Torres scored 15 hits and two blocks while Henry Pecana and Jayson Ramos chipped in 14 and 13 points, respectively, as the Tigers extended their winning streak to 20 games overall dating back to Game 3 of the 2007 finals.
After that title-clincher two years ago, the España-based spikers scored an unprecedented 17-game sweep to make it back-to-back last year and then kicked off their 2009 campaign with a 25-8, 25-15, 23-25, 25-16 thrashing of De La Salle last Sunday.
But despite the victory, Tigers Coach Emil Lontoc was not satisfied with his players’ performance so far, particularly their lack of killer instinct.
“Andun pa rin kasi yung tendency nilang mag-relax. Kasi binugbog nila yung kalaban sa first two sets, ayun, feeling nila e kayang-kaya na nila kaya nagpa-easy-easy na naman nung third set," he said.
Ron Jay Galang topscored for the Falcons (1-1) with 12 markers.
Also notching a victory was Ateneo de Manila, which needed only 55 minutes in beating National University in straight sets, 25-22, 25-23, 25-20.
Andre Joseph Pareja posted 16 hits, three service aces and a block as the Eagles handed the Bulldogs their second consecutive setback and sent them down the standings.
Champs Lady Archers score
In the distaff side, Stephanie Mercado registered her personal-best 28 hits as defending champion La Salle trounced UST, 25-20, 20-25, 25-22, 22-25, 15-11, late Tuesday at The Arena in San Juan City.
The Lady Archers trailed, 1-7, at the start of the fourth set but bounced back to force a decider through the combined efforts of Mercado and Charleen Cruz.
In the deciding fifth set, Mercado, daughter of Asia’s 80s Sprint Queen Lydia de Vega Mercado, broke an 11-11 deadlock with two consecutive spikes before Camille Cerveza hit a drop shot that moved the Lady Archers closer to match point.
Mercado then punched in the game-winning kill for the Taft-based volleybelles.
"Medyo hirap pa rin, kailangan pa ng maraming adjustments sa laro. Marami pang lapses na kailangan naming i-correct," noted Lady Archers mentor Ramil de Jesus.
Crus added a personal-best 21 points while Jacqueline Alarca contributed 11 points in the win which erased all the doubts on La Salle’s capability to retain its crown.
Team captain Aiza Maizo paced the Tigresses with 21 hits while promising rookie Maruja Banaticla added 18 points.
Source: gmanews.tv
-- Adamson University surprised 2008 season runner-up Far Eastern U, pulling off a straight-set 25-18, 25-17, 30-28 win in Tuesday’s action in the 72nd UAAP women’s volleyball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.
Wynnet Eulalio gave the Lady Tamaraws their last taste of the lead, 28-27, when she blocked a Jill Gustilo spike.
But the Lady Falcons answered with three straight kills capped by Paulina Soriano’s winning spike to complete the win.
Team skipper Angela Benting led Adamson with 24 points behind 22 hits while Gustilo and Soriano added 11 and 10 each as the San Marcelino-based team stunned last year’s losing finalist.
"Hindi na ako nagulat na straight sets yung panalo namin, Kasi sa V-League pa lang kita mo na. Pag nawala yung (Rachel Anne) Daquis, wala na. Kami hindi naman nagbago yung mga players naming," said Adamson coach Dulce Pante after the win.
"Malaking bagay talaga sa FEU yung pagkawala nung dalawa," Pante added referring to FEU’s two key players Daquis and Mikaela Irish Morada.
Shaira Gonzalez paced the Lady Tamaraws losing cause with 13 hits while missing the game-long brilliance of veteran Cherry May Vivas, who after a splendid performance in the last Shakey's V-League Season 6 second conference was limited to only nine points.
In the men's division, the FEU Tamaraws needed four sets before dispatching the National U Bulldogs, 20-25, 25-22, 25-15, 25-21.
Kirk Biliran and Joshua Alcarde scored 16 and 15 apiece for the Tamaraws, who finished sixth last season after being a finalist in 2007.
In the other men’s match, Dominic Estrada and Alvin Padilla combined for 25 points as University of the East subdued Adamson, 25-11, 25-22, 25-22.
The Red Warriors are hoping to improve their seventh place finish (2-12) in Season 71.
Source: abs-cbnnews.com
-- Defending champion De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Archers showed that they remain the team to beat right in their league debut in Season 72 of the University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP).
The Lady Archers came from behind to nip the University of Sto. Tomas Tigresses in five gripping sets, 20-25, 25-20, 22-25, 25-22, 15-11, during their match up at the FilOil Fying V Arena in San Juan.
DLSU, which skipped the Shakey’s V League in the pre-season, proved it still has what it takes to defend their UAAP crown as it redeemed itself from the same team that gave it a straight-set beating in the Unigames in Bacolod last October.
Fresh from winning their record fifth Shakey’s V League crown last week, UST appeared headed to victory after clinching the first set but faded in the homestretch.
After V-League conference and Finals MVP Aiza Maizo scored 4 straight points to tie the final set, 11-all, the Lady Archers blanked them the rest of the way to escape with the victory.
“Medyo hirap. Madami pang kailangang i-adjust. Pero step-by-step naman ‘yan,” said DLSU coach Ramil de Jesus.
Stephanie Mercado led the Lady Archers’ attack with 28 hits including the match point in the final set.
Charleen Cruz added 21 points while Jacqueline Alarca had 11 to caution the impact left by last season’s MVP Manila Santos, Michelle Datuin and Celine Hernandez, who already used up their playing eligibility years.
UST, meanwhile, drew 21 points from Maizo and 18 hits from rookie Maru Banaticla. Angeli Tabaquero fired 14 points but her crucial lapses did the Tigresses in.
In the other match, Shakey’s V League runner up Adamson Lady Falcons maintained their mastery over Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws with a straight set victory, 25-18, 25-17, 30-28.
Angela Benting powered the Lady Falcons with 24 hits while Jill Gustillo backed her up with 11 points.
The Lady Tamaraws, who sorely missed their former ace spiker Rachel Daquis, was led by Shaira Gonzales’ 13 points.
FEU scores vs NU in Men’s
Earlier in the day, FEU came back after yielding the first set to score a 20-25, 25-22, 25-15, 25-21 win over National University Bulldogs in the men’s tournament.
Kirk Beliran and Joshua Alcarde led the Tamaraws with 16 and 15 hits in the match that lasted 1 hour and 16 minutes.
The other match saw the University of the East Red Warriors making a quick work of the Adamson Falcons, 25-11, 25-22, 25-22.
The Warriors easily disposed the Falcons in just 59 minutes.
Dominic Estrada, Alvin Padilla and Benchard Pedrano scored 13, 12 and 11 points, respectively to lead the Warriors’ balanced attack.
Source: gmanews.tv
-- Two of the most popular women’s collegiate volleyball teams collide Tuesday in the main game of the quadruple header in the 72nd UAAP at The Arena in San Juan City.
Reigning UAAP women’s titlist De La Salle University faces Shakey’s V-League Season 6 back-to-back champion University of Santo Tomas in the 4 p.m. main game after the first two men’s division matches and one women’s contest.
La Salle skipped the V-League’s last two conferences making their fans become more eager to see how the Lady Archers can compete now that they will be playing minus last season’s most valuable player (MVP) Manilla Santos, and veteran spikers Celine Hernandez and Michelle Datuin.
But despite the departure of La Salle’s three key players, experts still pick the Lady Archers as one of the teams to beat this season boasting of veteran players led by last year’s best blocker Jacqueline Alarca, Stephanie Mercado, Charleen Cruz, Kaye Martinez and libero Melissa Gohing.
And that prediction will be put to a test this early as they will be pitted with the league’s most winningest squad who are out to regain the title they last held in 2007.
"Ito talagang UAAP ang pinaghandaan namin. Kaya naman ini-expect ko na mas tataas pa ang level at intensity ng laro ng mga players namin pagdating ng UAAP," said UST coach Cesael De Los Santos .
UST defeated La Salle in the 2009 University Games finals in Bacolod City but De Los Santos said that victory cannot be considered as a gauge as far as their opponents’ real strength is concerned.
"Malakas ang La Salle kaya kailangan talagang paghandaan. Hindi porke tinalo namin sila sa Uni-Games, ibig sabihin nun ay kayang-kaya na namin sila," said De Los Santos.
V-League Season 6 second conference and finals MVP Aiza Maizo is expected to lead the Tigresses’ campaign together with the returning Angeli Tabaquero, promising rookie Maruja Banaticla, Maika Ortiz, Judy Anne Caballejo and Rhea Katrina Dimaculangan.
In the other women’s match, Adamson takes on Far Eastern U at 2 p.m. after the first two games in the men’s division featuring Adamson and University of the East at 9 a.m. to be followed by the FEU-National University tussle at 11 a.m.
Source: Alder T. Almo abs-cbnnews.com
-- The streak continues.
The University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers opened their title defense with a bang as they easily disposed the De La Salle Green Archers, 25-8, 25-15, 23-25, 25-16, at the start of the 72nd UAAP men’s volleyball tournament Sunday at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan City.
The Tigers leaned on their superb attacking and steady services to score the 4-1 set victory that stretched their winning streak to 18 games dating back to last season.
“Kung 17 games ang kailangan namin, eh di 17 games ulit,” said a confident UST coach Emil Lontoc after the Tigers’ rousing debut.
Lontoc leaned on the quartet of Henry Pecana, JP Torres, Salvador Depante and Jayson Ramos, who combined for 55 points to get the Tigers’ offense firing.
The Tigers, however, failed to sweep the Archers when they let their guards down in the third set. Banking on Chris Macasaet, the Archers stole the third set away from the Tigers, 25-23.
The Tigers regrouped in the fourth set to run away with the win.
“Hindi pa kami 100% lalo may dalawa kaming rookies sa loob. May mga lapses pa rin kami especially nung fourth set but in spite of that, malakas ang outside hitters namin,” assessed Lontoc.
The UST coach sees last season’s runner-up, University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons, as their biggest threat to another title run. He also did not discount Far Eastern University and University of the East as Final Four contenders.
The Fighting Maroons won their debut match earlier in the day with a three-set sweep of the Ateneo de Manila Blue Eagles, underscoring their readiness to give the Tigers a run for their money.
The Maroons drew 10 points each from Ramon Lucindo and Michael Arda in their 25-19, 25-21, 25-20 victory.
Source: gmanews.tv
-- Henry Pecana punched in 13 hits, three service aces and a block as he spearheaded three-peat-seeking University of Santo Tomas in crushing La Salle, 25-8, 25-15, 23-25, 25-16 in Sunday’s start of the UAAP Season 72 Volleyball Tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.
John Paul Torres also posted 13 hits along with two service aces while Salvador Depante and Jayson Ramos had 12 and 11 points, respectively, as the Tigers maintained their unbeaten slate dating back to their sweep of the eliminations and finals of last year’s tournament.
"Yan na nga yung sinasabi ko sa kanila. Sarili na lang nila ang tanging kalaban nila pag natalo pa sila dito," said UST Coach Emil Lontoc. "Tingnan mo naman ang nangyari, nag-relax sila pagkatapos manalo sa first two sets, ayun nakasingit pa ang kalaban nila ng isang set."
Only Chris Macasaet managed to score in double figures for the Green Archers with 14 hits and a block.
Earlier, University of the Philippines blanked Ateneo de Manila, 25-19, 25-21, 25-20 in the first match of the men's division.
First day hostilities in the distaff side saw University of the East edging National University in a tightly-contested match, 25-13, 16-25, 25-19, 16-25, 15-12.
Jimberly Dizon and Leuseht Dawis scored 11 points apiece to power the Lady Warriors to the win, which negated NU's Mervic Mangui's personal best of 29 points, including a game-high 27 hits.
Source: gmanews.tv
-- University of Santo Tomas begins its campaign for a three-peat as the Tigers battle De La Salle in Sunday’s opening of the UAAP Season 72 volleyball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.
The Tigers, who completed a sweep of the 15-game eliminations and the best-of-three finals against University of the Philippines en route to their second straight crown last year, take the floor at 11 a.m.
UST will again be bannered by last year’s MVP and Best Setter Rey Carl Dimaculangan together with veterans Jayson Ramos and Henry Pecana, who were adjudged Best Attacker and Best Digger, respectively, in 2008.
Preceding the UST-DLSU tussle is the matchup between the UP Fighting Maroons and the Ateneo Blue Eagles at 9 a.m.
Action in the women’s division also starts Sunday with University of the East tackling National University at 2 p.m. and Ateneo de Manila meeting UP at 4 p.m.
The Lady Eagles, fourth placer in the recent Shakey’s V-League Season 6 second conference, are favored against the Lady Maroons who failed to register a single victory in same league.
Veterans Kara Acevedo, Fille Cainglet, Bea Pascual, Gretchen Ho and Angeline Gervacio are expected to spearhead the Lady Eagles’ campaign this year.
