University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses relied on EJ Laure and Pam Lastimosa to surpass the Technological Institute of the Philippines (TIP) Lady Engineers 25-16, 25-19, 24-26 25-14 in the Shakeys V-League Collegiate Conference, at the FilOil Flying V Arena, Sunday afternoon.
Lastimosa led the Golden Tigresses’ offensive onslaught to easily take the first set from the Lady Engineers. Coming into the second set, the Golden Tigresses continued its offensive prowess with Laure and Chloe Cortez providing additional support to erect a 16-11 lead in the second technical timeout. UST continued to pounce on TIP all throughout the set to keep the Lady Engineers at bay.
Both teams had a close third set as they cancelled each other out. Laure and Cortez scored on back-to-back attempts, followed by an error from TIP’s Michelle Dela Cruz to give UST a 22-19 lead. The Lady Engineers quickly countered, as Lara Passion blocked UST rookie, Christine Francisco, followed by an ace, which brought them to within a single point, 22-21. Both teams then exchanged attacks errors to put the set at 23-22 in favor of UST. Christine Maderazo and Alyssa Layug managed to score on two consecutive drop shots to put the Lady Engineers at set point, but Cortez scored off the block to tie the score at 24. Hezzymei Acuña scored once more on a drop shot that put the Lady Engineers at set point with a 25-24 lead. Unluckily for UST, Carmela Tunay and Lastimosa collided while scrambling to save the drop shot of Acuña. In effect, Mela’s nose bled profusely, and she had to be taken to the hospital for treatment. TIP took advantage of the UST veteran’s absence and stole the set from the Tigresses.
The Golden Tigresses bounced back in the fourth set with Laure carrying the offensive load for UST to stop the Lady Engineers attempt in extending the match. Lastimosa put the finishing touches scoring through the block in give the Golden Tigresses its third straight win.
UST Coach Kungfu Reyes admitted the Lady Engineers had a good third set, and what lapses saw in the side of the Golden Tigresses during that set reflected on the team as a whole.
“Maganda ang laro ng TIP noong third set. Hindi pwede itanggi na maganda ang laro ng kalaban kaya kailangan namin sumabay. Pumunta kami rito para maghanda hindi para mag relax,” said Reyes.
Reyes also said they need to win the match for Tunay, who finished with eight points before the unfortunate event happened.
“Yung nangyari kay Mela [Tunay], kailangan naming ibawi sa fourth set para hindi umabot sa fifth set. Hindi pinaghirapan ng TIP ang puntos dahil kami ang namimigay ng puntos,” Reyes added.
Laure led the game in scoring with 18 points, 16 coming from attacks while Lastimosa chipped in 14 points together with five service aces, Cortez also had 10 points for UST.
Acuna was the lone player in double digit scoring for TIP with 13.
The Golden Tigresses will wrap up their elimination round campaign against the San Sebastian Lady Stags on August 9 at 12:45 PM while the Lady Engineers last assignment is against the UAAP champion Ateneo Lady Eagles a day earlier at 5:00 PM in the same venue.
The Scores:
UST (3) – Laure 18, Lastimosa 14, Cortez 10, Meneses 9, Tunay 8, De Leon 6, Francisco 4, Verutiao 1, Cabanos 0, Rafael 0, Teope 0, Dizon 0, Hachero (L), Rasmo(L)
TIP (1) – Acuña 13, Maderazo 6, Layug 5, Maturan 4, Espinosa 4, Pasion 4, Dela Cruz 3, Verano 2, Perez 2, Rosales 0, Fidel 0, Sarmiento (L)
