The University of the Philippines Lady Maroons had to sweat to keep their perfect start to the UAAP Season 79, calming the University of East Lady Warriors’ brave stand 25-16, 26-24, 25-19 at the FilOil Flying Centre.
UE bothered the UP’s offense with their length and blocking. The Lady Warriors, however, could not make up for their lack of offense and floor defense. The Lady Warriors tallied a whooping 14 blocks but responded to UP’s 42 attack points with just 18.
The Lady Warriors gave the Lady Marrons a fright in the second after scoring on a block and two UP errors and taking a 23-20 lead. The Lady Maroons, however, responded with Nicole Tiamzon at the service line. The Lady Maroons racked up the next four points, figuring in a deuce. Kathy Bersola then took her team over the hump, serving beautifully in the next two points to coax a free ball then an ace from Lady Warriors.
The third set turned into a thrashing midway through, with UP unloading on UE’s backline.
“‘Yun ang hinahanap nang mga coaches sa players – ‘yung kapag may adversity, nagre-respond sila to get away from those types of situations. Hopefully, we can continue to respond like that to future challenges,” said UP head coach Jerry Yee.
Diana Carlos led the way for UP with 18 points while middle blocker Marian Buitre tallied 14 points off 12-for-17 attacking. Last season’s Rookie of the Year Isa Molde played limited minutes due to a knee injury but had three points.
The Lady Maroons (2-0) stake their perfect start against defending champs DLSU Lady Spikers (1-0) on Wednesday at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
Wingers Shaya Adorador and Mary Anne Mendrez each tallied eight points for the Lady Warriors (0-2) who put up another gallant effort. They face the UST Tigresses (0-1) also on Wednesday.
The Scores
UP (3) – Carlos 18, Buitre 14, Tiamzon 10, Bersola 8, Molde 3, Basarte 0, Gannaban 0, Estrañero 0, Dorog (L)
UE (0) – Adorador 8, Mendrez 8, Abil 7, Rodriguez 7, Alcayde 4, Baliton 4, Catindig 0, Dacaymat 0, Arado (L)
