Continuing their unbeaten run through the 2019 PVL Collegiate Conference, the University of Santo Tomas turned back the shorthanded Arellano Lady Chiefs, gutting out a 25-21, 25-23, 22-25, 25-23 victory, Saturday at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
Eya Laure fired a game-high 20 points, built on 17 attacks and a pair of service aces. She also collected 10 excellent digs for the Golden Tigresses.
KC Galdones hammered down all but one of her 13 points off attacks, to go along with nine excellent receptions. She delivered the momentum-swinging hits in the fourth set that incited a 3-0 spurt to capsize Arellano’s 22-20 cushion.
Holding a precarious 23-22 edge, Laure and Janna Torres then connived for the finishing blows. The former put her team at match point, before the latter found a crease in the middle where she buried the kill.
Torres netted four kill blocks en route to 11 markers. Meanwhile, Mafe Galanza orchestrated the offense to the tune of 17 excellent sets for the Golden Tigresses.
UST closed out the preliminaries with an unscathed 5-0 slate in Pool B.
“Malaking bagay pa rin na panalo. At least on a high note yung tapos namin [sa elimination round]. Pero again, kung paano kami nanalo kanina, yun ang medyo hindi maganda doon sa ginagalaw namin,” UST head coach Kungfu Reyes said.
The Golden Tigresses surrendered 32 errors, with most coming in the third set where the Lady Chiefs picked up steam.
“Problema sa amin, hindi kami masyado gumalaw kanina. Buti nangyari na ngayon para pagpasok ng semifinals, naka-ready pa rin kami,” added Reyes, as his side awaits how the jockeying of positions between Ateneo and San Beda will unfold in Pool A.
Charmina Diño chipped in 13 markers off 10 attacks and three service aces. Nicole Sasuman topped Arellano with 14 points, while Mika Juanich and Alyana San Gregorio managed 10 points each.
Arellano playmaker Sarah Verutiao dished out 23 excellent sets. Meanwhile, Faye Flores manned the floor with 28 excellent receptions and 13 excellent digs.
The Lady Chiefs missed the services of prolific scorers Regine Arocha, Necole Ebuen and Carla Donato, as they ended their campaign with a 2-3 record.
EJ Laure was not present in the match as well due to a prior commitment.
