NU-Nazareth School retains UAAP girls’ volleyball crown

Abegail Pono and NU Lady Bullpups celebrate latest UAAP girls volleyball title. –UAAP PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–National University-Nazareth School beat Adamson, 26-24, 25-22, 29-27 in Game 3 to retain the UAAP Season 85 high school girls’ volleyball crown on Monday.

The Lady Bullpups clinched their sixth title overall title after overcoming a tough stand from the Baby Falcons, who dragged the finals to a deciding Game 3 with a streak-busting win.

NU-Nazareth School setter Abegail Pono, in her final year for Nazareth School, was named the Finals MVP.

“I’m happy that in my last year here I was able to leave happy memories,” said Pono in Filipino. “It’s okay that we weren’t able to sweep this season, as long as we won. We gave our entire heart this season.

Adamson raced to an early 10-3 lead on a Red Bascon kill, but failed to sustain its hot start as NU-Nazareth School stormed back behind Celine Marsh’s cross-court spike and season MVP Kianne Olango’s kill to secure the opening set.

The Lady Bullpups were in full control in the second set but were tested by the Baby Falcons in the third.

After trailing 17-21, NU-Nazareth School was able to claw back and reached championship point first at 25-24 on a net touch violation by Adamson.

Olango’s kill forced the match’s final deadlock at 27-27 before Rob Silla, atoning for an earlier service error, nailed an ace to put the Lady Bullpups at championship point once more.

Bienne Bansil then produced a championship-clinching block for NU-Nazareth School.