With several familiar faces on the other side of the net, the University of the Philippines Lady Maroons gutted out a tight straight-set win over the College of Saint Benilde Lady Blazers, 26-24, 27-25, 29-27, in the Premier Volleyball League Collegiate Conference at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
UP bolstered their hold on the fourth spot in the standings with a 3-2 record. Benilde, on the other hand, slid to a tie for sixth with the University of Perpetual Help with identical 1-4 slates.
With each set coming down to the wire, UP head coach Godfrey Okumu emphasized his team’s current condition in the midst of their second off-season tournament.
“There were a couple of points that, had we executed better, we could have had an easier win,” said the Kenyan mentor.
“Again, I think my players are really experiencing the fatigue of playing in several tournaments. But, we’re working hard, we’re trying to improve on a lot of the mistakes that we’re making,” the second year head coach pointed out.
Isa Molde, who was facing her former coach in UP and in Hope Christian High School Jerry Yee, tallied 18 points while rookie Nicole Magsarile added 10 markers.
Setter and former Lady Maroons Jewel Lai tallied four points and 20 excellent sets for the Lady Blazers. Klarisa Abriam was the Benilde’s only double-digit scorer witb 20 points.
The Lady Maroons face UAAP rivals Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws (3-1) on Saturday, while Benilde take on the San Sebastian Lady Stags (0-4) on Sunday at the same venue.
The Scores
UP (3) – Molde 18, Magsarile 10, Gannaban 9, Bernardo 6, Buitre 4, Layug 4, Rosier 4, Estrañero 1, Sotomil 1, Altomea (L)
CSB (0) – Abriam 20, Pabli 6, Umali 6, Gamit 5, Daguil 4, Lai 4, Cui 2, Ventura 1, Cardiente 0, Miranda 0, Sulit (L), Torres (L)
