“Nabugbog sila after so many years, it’s about time to na ipakita nila na bago na sila,” an elated UST head coach Kungfu Reyes said.
After years of falling behind heightened expectations, the University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses have shown that they are starting to turn the page.
The ladies from España came into their match against the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws as underdogs and emerged as decisive victors, scoring a four-set win, 25-16, 21-25, 26-24, 25-20, to end their UAAP Season 79 first round at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The Tigresses stumbled to start the season, falling to a 1-3 record. UST slowly gathered momentum, beating the struggling Adamson University and National University. FEU, winners of two straight heading into Saturday, looked dominant after trumping University of the Philippines and National University.
But the Tigresses were unfazed by their neighbors. They came out of the gate strong, burying FEU in a 16-9 hole to secure the first set. Looking famished after dropping the second set, UST climbed out of a 19-21 deficit in the third set to take the lead, 2-1, in sets.
The fourth frame was all UST, starting strong with an 8-2 lead and finishing off the Lady Tamaraws via three straight aces from dynamo Mary Pacres for an insurmountable 23-17 advantage.
“Napakalaking bagay nito para sa amin, unang una nabreak namin kung ano ang previous standing namin last year noong mag-end ang first round 4-3 kami ngayon last year kasi 3-4,” thought Reyes.
“Mas malakas na ang loob kasi sabi nga naramdaman na kaya naman nila this is the time wala na hindi na pwedeng next year ulit, hindi na pwede ang ganon. Nararamdaman na kasi nila na talagang may pinupuntahan kung ano ang pinaghihirapan namin.”
Third-year open hitter Ej Laure led UST with 17 points, while skipper Sisi Rondina recovered from a disastrous start to finish witn 14.
UST’s 4-3 slate puts them in a tie with FEU, and possibly NU and UP, depending on the result of the latter two’s matchup tomorrow also at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Third year opposite Toni Basas managed 16 points for FEU, while Bernadeth Pons added 14.
The Scores
UST (3) – Laure 17, Rondina 14, Pacres 12, Meneses 7, Viray 5, Cortez 4, Lastimosa 3, Bicar 2, Sandoval 0, Rivera (L), Rasmo (L)
FEU (1) – Basas 16, Pons 14, Palma 9, Malabanan 6, Villareal 6, Guino-O 4, Cayuna 3, Negrito 2, Duremdes (L)
