UE bags 11th straight Jrs Volleyball Crown

The University of the East extended its reign in UAAP boys' volleyball to eleven straight seasons, completing the sweep with a 20-25, 25-20, 25-14, 18-25, and 20-18 win over Ateneo this past Sunday.

Having to deal with the graduation of last year's MVP in Edward Camposano and an ACL injury to Ruvince Abrot during the last day of the eliminations, the senior-laden Junior Warriors relied on Tournament MVP Ron Medalla, Best Attacker Joshua Umandal, Best Setter Adrian Imperial, and Best Libero Ralph Imperial to preserve its unblemished record. Medalla would clinch the title with a smash towards Anthony Sarino.

Head coach Ruel Pascual said, "The players worked hard for this one. We are blessed to win another championship."

Ateneo did come close to ending UE's streak, after forcing them to the full five-set limit in both finals games. Their runner-up finish was buoyed by their do-or-die victories against UST in the playoff and against National University in the semifinals.

Completing the award winners are Best Server Sebastian Cuerva, Best Blocker Gian Carlo Glorioso, (both from Ateneo) Rookie of the Year Reymart Reyes, and Best Receiver Daryl Cayamso (both from NU).

NU claims UAAP Girls' Volleyball title

NATIONAL University took its first-ever UAAP girls volleyball crown Thursday at the Adamson gym

National University secured its first girls' volleyball crown in the UAAP, needing four sets to dethrone University of Santo Tomas, 25-21, 28-26, 26-28, and 25-12.

NU avenged their defeat in last year's finals, as they took the title via a two-game sweep. They capped the title with a Jennifer Nierva spike to give the F. Jhocson school the championsip.

Nierva was feted as the Best Server for the season, while teammate Faith Nisperos was named as the MVP. Also feted were Rica Diolan as Best Setter and Christine Magallanes as the Best Libero.

In spite of the championship defeat, UST will not go home empty-handed, as Eya Laure and Pauline Gaston were named as the Best Attacker and Best Blocker, respectively.

The other ladies who secured individual awards are La Salle-Zobel's Mildred Dizon as Best Receiver, and Far Eastern University-Diliman's Rachel Ann Fabro as the Rookie of the Year.

The other match saw the Ateneo Blue Eaglets secure a finals berth, pulling out a 25-20, 28-26, and 27-25 upset of second-seed National University. Win sets up a clash against the undefeated University of the East, who are seeking their eleventh straight title in boys' volleyball.

UE, NU finish atop UAAP HS volleyball elims

The University of the East swept through the field in the process of securing the first Finals slot in the UAAP Season 77 boys' volleyball tournament at the Adamson Gym.

The Junior Warriors dispatched La Salle-Zobel in straight sets, 25-15, 25-16, and 25-11 to complete a twelve-game sweep in the eliminations. UE is now two wins away from securing an eleventh-straight crown.

The stepladder post-season sees 3rd seed Ateneo (8-4) take on 4th seed UST (7-5) in a playoff, with the winner facing the 2nd seed NU (9-3) on a twice-to-beat disadvantage in the stepladder semifinals.

On the distaff side, National University easily handled Far Eastern University, 25-5, 25-13, and 25-13 to claim the top seed with a 11-1 record.

NU will face Adamson in the Final Four, with UST facing La Salle-Zobel in the other match-up. The defending champions clinched the second seed and will have a twice-to-beat advantage thanks to their 4-set victory over Adamson.

Adamson needed a playoff to secure that last postseason slot, going the full five sets to beat UE, 25- 21, 25-21, 17-25, 18-25, and 15-7.

UE sweeps first round of UAAP boys volleyball

UE continue their romp through the UAAP boys volleyball tournament at the Adamson Gym, closing out their first round play with three successive straight set wins.

The Junior Warriors beat NU (25-17, 25-22, 25-11), UST (25-9, 25-17, 25-22), and UPIS (25-9, 25-8, 25-10) to end the first round unblemished at 6-0.

In spite of their loss to the defending champions, the Bullpups remain in step, bouncing back with four-set wins over Ateneo (21-25, 27-25, 25-22, 27-25) and La Salle (25-16, 14-25, 25-17, 25-20) to take a 5-1 record.

Ateneo is in third place with a 4-2 record, just ahead of UST, which totes a 3-3 slate. The Loyola Heights-based squad beat the Tiger Cubs, 25-22, 25-19, 25-19, to close out their first round play.

Completing the symmetrical nature of the standings are FEU-Diliman (2-4), La Salle-Zobel (1-5), and UPIS (0-6).

Second round action commences on August 23 at the Adamson Gym.

UE continues dominance in UAAP HS volleyball

The University of the East continue their dominance in the boys' volleyball portion of UAAP Season 77 with straight set victories this past weekend at the Adamson Gym.

The Junior Warriors first dispatched La Salle-Zobel, 25-12 25-18 and 25-17 on Saturday, before doing the same thing to Far Eastern University-Diliman, 25-17 25-7 and 25-13 on Sunday.

Joining the reigning champions atop the standings are National University. The Bullpups won against UST on Saturday, 24-26 25-16 25-22 and 26-24, then took care of business against UPIS on Sunday, 25-12 25-16 and 25-19.

The Tiger Cubs fell to 2-1 with the loss, and as a result, are now tied with Ateneo. The Eaglets took care of rivals La Salle-Zobel, 25-16 25-16 and 25-21.

On the other hand, the Baby Tamaraws finally secured their first-ever victory in UAAP Juniors volleyball on Saturday against UPIS, winning 25-19 25-22 and 26-24. Win puts them level with La Salle-Zobel at 1-3, with UP at the basement with an 0-4 record.

In the girls side, defending champions UST defeated Adamson, 25-20 25-21 and 25-22 on Saturday for its second straight victory. FEU-Diliman also made it a double celebration for its junior counterparts by winning against UPIS, 25-21 24-26 25-22 and 25-13. Completing the action on Saturday was NU beating UE, 25-17 17-25 25-7 and 25-19.

Updates from the High School Volleyball realm in the UAAP

The quest for their eleventh straight UAAP boys' volleyball title begins on a positive vibe for the University of the East, as they dispatched Ateneo in straight sets on Sunday at the Adamson Gym.

Ron Medalla and Ruvince Abrot led the charge to take the win, 25-12 25-17 and 25-14.

UST temporarily took hold of the top spot after netting two victories this past weekend, beating La Salle-Zobel in straight sets 25-15 25-22 and 25-22 on Saturday, before going the full limit against FEU-Diliman, 17-25 25-14 23-25 25-16 and 15-10 on Sunday.

The Junior Archers did manage to bounce back on Sunday by keeping UPIS winless, 25-22 25-17 and 26-24.

Last year's runners-up NU also had a promising start, needing four sets to take out the Junior Tamaraws, 23-25 25-23 25-15 and 25-15.

On the distaff side, National University eased past FEU-Diliman, 25-16 25-13 and 25-10, while UE needed five sets to beat Adamson, 25-19 25-23 14-25 14-25 and 15-13.

UPIS still remains winless after losing to La Salle-Zobel on Saturday, 25-14 25-14 and 25-12, and against Adamson on Sunday, 25-14 25-14 and 25-19.