The University of the Philippines Lady Maroons outlasted the Baguio City Summer Spikers in four sets, 21-25, 27-25, 25-14, 25-13, to clinch their first win in the 13th Shakey’s V-League Open Conference, Wednesday evening at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
The Summer Spikers pounced on the tentativeness of the Lady Maroons in the early-goings of the opening set. UP tried to get their groove back, but Baguio closed out the first set in their favor with team captain Ai Tsuchiya taking charge at 25-21.
With a young lineup on the floor, the Diliman-based squad stunned the Summer Spikers early in the second set and mounted an early 10-4 lead off three straight points from UAAP Season 78 Rookie of the Year Isa Molde. The Baguio team, however, kept themselves in the thick of things and ultimately threatened to steal the second frame with a Tsuchiya kill. Diana Carlos and Justine Dorog then took back-to-back hits to tie the match at a set apiece.
The two sets was a service clinic for the Lady Maroons as they used the first delivery to their advantage. UP built sizeable leads in both the third and fourth sets, and never looked back. Maris Layug and Nicole Tiamzon dictated the third and fourth sets, respectively, to the Maroons’ favor before Dorog and Marian Buitre secured the set victories and the match.
UP outmuscled Baguio on attacks 58-34 with Dorog firing off 13 and Carlos scored ten.
The Lady Maroons also had eight service aces, three off them coming from Tiamzon. Outside hitters Dorog, Tiamzon, and Molde led the charge for the Iskas.
On the other hand, Tsuchiya registered 13 markers, while Mela Dicksen scored 12.
UP head coach Jerry Yee shared that they talked about their performance in their first two games and worked on some adjustments. He said, “Narealize nila kailangan naming bumawi.”
Yee also shared that they are going into this tournament with something to prove. “The sponsors, the seniors are watching; hindi pupwedeng ganiyan [yung laro natin],” he added.
The Lady Maroons (1-2) face fellow day winners Bali Pure Water Defenders on Monday, June 13 at 6:30pm. On the other hand, the Summer Spikers (0-3) look to end their slump when they face on Saturday, June 11 at 4:00pm.
The Scores:
UP (3) – Dorog 13, Molde 11, Tiamzon 11, carlos 10, Bersola 9, Buitre 4, Gannaban 4, Layug 3, Chopitea 3, Basarte 1, Ramos 1, Cailing 0, Estranero (L), Gaiser (L).
Baguio (1) – Tsuchiya 13, Dicksen 12, Atuban 9, Atuban 3, Costales 2, Torres 2, Rossi 2, Belsa 0, Balantac 0, Abella (L), Degay (L).
