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) – Carlos 24, Molde 19, Buitre 7, Layug 7, Estrañero 5, Rosier 2, Lim 1, Ramos 1, Basarte 0, Cailing 0, Dorog (L), Thai (L)
