After a miserable stretch of five matches, the University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses redeemed their poor first round showing against the University of the Philippines Lady Maroons, taking their second match-up, 19-25, 30-28, 25-20, 25-16, at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
The Lady Maroons started the first set strong, breaking away from a 17-all tie to grab a 22-18 lead with Isa Molde leading the way. Middle blocker Marian Buitre then grabbed UP’s last two points, soaring for a hit then a single block on Shannen Palec to lock down the first set.
UST then inched ahead in a tight second set. Neither squad held a lead greater than three points. The Golden Tigresses had four cracks at set point before finally copping their breakthrough set win after back-to-back UP errors.
Surging ahead, 15-7, UST almost crumbled, allowing UP to come within two, 17-15. But steady scoring from Cherry Rondina buoyed the Golden Tigresses to a 2-1 sets lead.
By the fourth set, UP lost all their steam, allowing the UST to grab an 18-10 and never look back.
“Talagang nag-tiyaga lang kami sa training kasi hindi kami pwedeng basta-basta sumuko kahit natatalo. Nagtiwala lang talaga kami sa isa’t isa,” said Rondina who led the Tigresses with 25 points. Fil-Italian winger Milena Alessandrini had her best performance in the UAAP, scoring 20 markers.
The Golden Tigresses (3-7) take on the NU Lady Bulldogs (7-2) on Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum.
Tots Carlos topped the Lady Maroons with 24 points. Her fellow outside hitter Isa Molde managed 19.
The Lady Maroons (3-7) face the FEU Lady Tamaraws (6-3) on Saturday at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
The Scores
UST (3) – Rondina 25, Alessandrini 20, Francisco 7, Dizon 5, Viray 5, Sandoval 3, Bicar 2, Palec 2, Pacres 1, Teope 0, Pollentes (L), Rivera (L)
UP (1) РCarlos 24, Molde 19, Buitre 7, Layug 7, Estra̱ero 5, Rosier 2, Lim 1, Ramos 1, Basarte 0, Cailing 0, Dorog (L), Thai (L)
