The University of the Philippines Lady Maroons kept themselves afloat in the tight UAAP Women’s Volleyball Tournament Final Four race with a four-set win over the University of Santo Tomas Tigresses 25-19, 25-18, 15-25, 32-30 at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
The Lady Maroons displayed dominance over the Tigresses in the opening two sets. UP took nine point leads in both frames and kept UST in a constant state of substitutions.
The España-based squad turned the tables on UP in the third set, blasting the Lady Maroons with a 15-7 lead. UP tried a comeback, rattling off five straight points, 12-15. But the Tigresses finished the set off through power plays put away by Cherry Rondina and Ej Laure, allowing the Lady Maroons just three points for a 25-16 set win
The fourth set was a battle of wills. UP seemed to have control, gaining a 22-19 lead off UST errors. After a timeout, the Tigresses tied the set, 22-all, after hits from Rondina. The set dragged into a prolonged deuce, with both teams gaining equal number of set point chances. Tied at 30, UST’s Chloe Cortez served long, giving UP a second straight chance at the match. After a long rally, Cherry Rondina went up for a third attack attempt only to be blocked by UP’s Kathy Bersola, ending the match.
“Marami pang kailangang ayusin with the team. Bata pa talaga kami makikita naman na may mistakes pa na kayang kaya namang maiwasan. So we need to practice pa talaga,” said UP head coach Jerry Yee.
Rookie Diana Carlos topped UP with 16 points; Nicole Tiamzon added 14, while Kathy Bersola had 11 markers.
UST sophomore open hitters, Rondina and Laure, tallied 20 points each and were the only Tomasinas in double-figures.
Both teams will finish their first round on Wednesday at the FilOil Flying V Centre. UP (3-3) will take on the National University Lady Bulldogs (3-3) while UST (2-4) will face the De La Salle University Lady Spikers (5-1).
The Scores
UP (3) – Carlos 16, Tiamzon 14, Bersola 11, Molde 8, Buitre 8, Lai 2, Layug 1, Dorog 1, Estranero (L), Gaiser (L)
UST (1) – Laure 20, Rondina 20, Tunay 9, De Leon 4, Cortez 3, Teope 3, Menses 1, Sandoval 0, Rivera (L)
