UAAP Juniors standout Ejiya Laure controlled the pace of the game and showed poise beyond her years, towing the University of Santo Tomas Tigresses over the College of Saint Benilde Lady Blazers, 25-20, 25-17, 25-27, 25-17, in Group B of the Spikers’ Turf Collegiate Conference at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.
The younger of the Laure sisters blistered for 18 points on 15/29 attacking, with three aces. The UAAP Juniors MVP sat out the third set, which the Tigresses lost by a very close margin.
“Kailangan kasing magbalasa ng tao,” said UST head coach Kungfu Reyes about his constant shuffling of players. “Kailangan ma-evaluate ng mga tao namin na sasabak sa UAAP kung kaya na ba nila.”
“Sila Eya kasi at Magi (Mangulabnan) mapu-pull out din sa team kapag nagsimula na ‘yung season nila sa Juniors.”
When Laure played a set, the Tigresses took control early and waltzed to the win. UST only faced a tough challenge in the fourth set when CSB battled and kept the deficit within one. Tied at 13, UST rallied to a 19-14 lead behind Cherry Rondina’s serving and quick transitions to seal the win.
Rondina added 15 points, 10 digs, and seven excellent receptions to the UST cause, while the elder Laure, Ej managed 10 markers.
“So far maganda naman ang pinapakita ng team. Hindi naman kami nage-aim ng mataas dito sa tournament. Basta makakuha ng experience ang mga bata naming player ang pakay namin dito,” Reyes concluded, adding that he will slowly add in other members of the squad who are still playing in the PSL once the said tournament is over.
NCAA Finals MVP Jeanette Panaga and Janine Navarro led the defending NCAA champs with 14 points apiece.
UST (2-0) will face UAAP rivals University of the Philippines Lady Maroons (1-0) next on August 13, 6:00 pm, at the PhilSports Arena. CSB (0-2) seek to end their losing skid against NCAA rivals San Beda College Lady Red Spikers (0-2) on the same date, in the same venue, at 4:00 pm.
The Scores
UST (3) – Laure Ey. 18, Rondina 15, Laure Ej. 10, Meneses 9, Francisco 6, Pacres 7, Gutierrez 1, Mangulabnan 1, Viray 1, Bicar 0, Dizon 0, Palec 0, Pollentes (L), Rasmo (L)
CSB (1) – Navarro 14, Panaga 14, Musa 9, Cheng 5, Dolorito 3, Daguil 2, Enginco 1, Umali 1, Ventura 1, Cardiente 0, Santillan 0, Torres (L), Lim (L)
