BEHIND Eya Laure’s season-high performance, University of Santo Tomas dealt De La Salle University its first loss in the UAAP Season 85 women’s volleyball tournament, scoring a 25-19, 14-25, 25-18, 25-12 massive upset in front of 8,473 fans at the SMART Araneta Coliseum, Sunday.
Laure erupted for 29 big points on 45-percent spiking efficiency, carrying the Golden Tigresses to solo third with a 7-3 record.
The Lady Spikers, meanwhile, fell to 9-1 — still at the top, ensuring that there will be a traditional Final Four.
“Siyempre, kami naghahanap kami ng panalo, luckily, tumama naman yung mga galaw naman though ang dami pa ring dapat i-correct. Ibabalik lang ulit namin sa training,” said Golden Tigresses head coach Kungfu Reyes.
After De La Salle’s bounce back in the second, UST’s growl in the third was louder.
The Golden Tigresses pulled away from a 14-all affair as Milena Alessandrini started the onslaught before Eya Laure put the finishing touches to give their side the 2-1 lead, 25-18.
Then UST just ran away in the fourth with Laure, Alessandrini, and Regina Jurado joining forces for the stunner.
Alessandrini backed Laure up with 20 points and nine excellent receptions.
Rookie Jurado also came through with 12 points and 12 digs as libero Bernadett Pepito was a master of floor defense with 25 digs and 11 excellent receptions.
“Lagi ko lang iniisip basta papaluin ko na ito, meron namang coverage si Det-Det and nung second set naging gising siya sa amin na kapag pumalo, kailangan namin magcover, kailangang magtrabaho,” said Laure on their performance.
UST dominated the spiking department, 63-40, while limiting De La Salle in the blocking category, matching its foe’s output with six. The Lady Spikers’ six blocks were all in the second set where they dominated.
Angel Canino was the lone Lady Spiker in double figures with 13 points, going 12-of-45 in her spikes.
Thea Gagate added nine points while Fifi Sharma, Jolina Dela Cruz, and Jyne Soreño got eight points apiece.
UST’s next game will be Ateneo de Manila University on April 15 while La Salle aims to return to winning ways on the 16th against University of the Philippines. Both games will be played at Philsports Arena.
Watch the UAAP Season 85 Collegiate Volleyball Tournament on the UAAP Varsity Channel (Ch. 263 HD). Available on Prepaid Loads 300 & up (valid for 30 days).
You can also catch the games live on the SMART Livestream App. Download it here.
