MANILA -- National University-Nazareth School completed an elimination round sweep of Adamson on Sunday, taking a 25-21, 25-17, 21-25, 25-17 victory in their second round encounter at the Paco Arena in Manila.

The win keeps the Lady Bullpups tied for a share of the lead in the UAAP Season 87 girls' volleyball tournament along with Far Eastern University-Diliman. Both teams have 6-1 win-loss records.

It's the second time this season that NU-Nazareth defeated the defending champions, having taken their first round showdown last October 2 in five sets, 16-25, 25-23, 25-20, 23-25, 15-13.

They needed four sets this time around, with a decisive four-point run highlighted by back-to-back aces from Lyza Dela Peña giving them a comfortable 14-6 lead.

They reached match point off a service error by Sofia Arasan, and though Sam Cantada made a late push for Adamson, the Lady Bullpups had built too large of a lead. Denesse Daylisan secured the victory with a powerful attack, closing the match at 25-17.

Denesse Daylisan of NU-Nazareth goes for an attack against Adamson in the UAAP Season 87 girls' volleyball tournament, October 27, 2024 at the Paco Arena in Manila. UAAP Media"Itong second round kasi ine-expect namin na mas magiging mahirap so meron kaming enough preparations siguro and gladly na-execute naman namin 'yung pinag-prepare namin. So iilang mabigat pa kami na makakalaban so [sana] magtuloy-tuloy pa 'yung wins namin," said Lady Bullpups head coach Karl Dimaculangan.

Daylisan finished with 16 points, while Diza Berayo and Harlyn Serneche contributed 14 and 8 points, respectively. Setter Rihanna Navarro orchestrated the offense with 13 excellent sets and led the service line with three aces, while Atasha Doroja anchored the defense with 13 excellent digs.

Cantada led the Lady Baby Falcons with 15 points, while Lhouriz Tuddao and Janessa Buhay chipped in with 10 points each. Buhay, however, was stretchered off the court after a bad landing during a 13-all tie in the second set.

Adamson fell to 5-3, sitting in fourth place.

Earlier, University of Santo Tomas defeated Ateneo de Manila University in straight sets, 25-15, 25-13, 25-10, improving to a 6-2 record for solo third.

The Junior Tigresses' balanced scoring saw Ryzel Laag, Antonette Jaramillo, Kim Rubin, and Aneeza Santos each tally seven points. Laag and Jaramillo contributed in the first two sets, while Rubin's points all came in the third.

Every Tigress saw court action in the 57-minute match.

De La Salle-Zobel, on the other hand, prevailed over University of the Philippines Integrated School in straight sets, 25-13, 25-17, 25-23, climbing to a 3-5 record to remain fifth in the standings.

Kylie Celada led the Junior Lady Spikers with 12 points, including nine attacks and three aces. Juliene Mindanao and Aislinn Alemaña also chipped in with 10 points apiece.

Janella Guariño's 16 points were a bright spot for the Junior Fighting Maroons, who fell to 1-7 and sit sixth in the rankings.

The Blue Eagles are still winless in eight games.