In another match in which head coach Jerry Yee was disappointed with their effort, the University of the Philippines Lady Maroons powered through the depleted University of the Santo Tomas Tigresses in five sets, 25-19, 13-25, 25-23, 16-25, 15-6, in the Shakey’s V-Leage Collegiate Conference at the PhilSports Arena.
Yee was unhappy with his team’s energy, ruing their complacency whenever they won a set.
“So hindi pa rin ‘yun ang hinahanap nating effort. Nakita naman natin na malakas ‘yung UST kahit kulang sila. We need to play with consistency kahit sino pa ang kalaban namin,” Yee insisted.
The Lady Maroons traded set wins with the Tigresses, who were without open hitters Cherry Rondina and Ej Laure. UP were drastically lacking effort in serve reception and floor defense in the second and fourth set, leading to lopsided defeats.
But UP hustled hard in the first set then rallied back from 21-23 down in the third frame to take a 2-1 lead. The Katipunan spikers then stormed through the fifth set with a 10-4 run to clinch the win.
“We just tried to remind them the gameplan and basic instructions. For sure, we need to play better in the coming matches,” Yee continued.
Sophomore Isa Molde led the Lady Maroons with 16 points. Molde’s batch mate Justine Dorog added 12 points, while team captain Kathy Bersola contributed 12 markers.
UST Junior Tigresses standout Ejiya Laure shone with 20 points, while fourth-year middle hitter Ria Meneses managed 18 points off 11 spikes and seven blocks.
UP (3-0) take on the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws (2-0) on August 20, 6 pm. UST (2-1) also face FEU on August 17, 6 pm. Both matches will be at the PhilSports Arena.
The Scores
UP (3) – Molde 16, Dorog 14, Bersola 12, Carlos 10, Tiamzon 4, Buitre 2, Basarte 1, Sandoval 0, Estrañero (L), Gaiser (L)
UST (2) – Laure 20, Meneses 18, Dison 9, Sandoval 7, Mangulabnan 2, Palec 2, Pacres 2, Bicar 0, Tayag 0, Radmo (L)
