Missing two starters due to injury, the University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses slammed the streaking Adamson University Lady Falcons, 25-9, 31-29, 25-19, at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
UST played their first match without rookie winger Milena Alessandrini (shoulder) and senior libero Rica Rivera (knee), both of whom will be out for at least the remainder of the first round.
The Tigresses made a statement, immediately shutting the door on the Lady Falcons in the first set with a 16-5 opening blitz. UST then battled back from a 20-23 deficit in the second and leaned on Sisi Rondina’s late heroics to secure the second frame.
UST then sealed the win, racing to a 16-7 advantage in the third frame.
“Ito talaga ‘yung mukha ng UST. Noong late December nalaman na mawawala si Ej (Laure), ito ‘yung mga tao na ginamit namin,” said UST head coach Kungfu Reyes.
“Nakita ng mga players din ‘yung sinabi ni coach Air (Padda) and isinapuso nila na kailangan team effort talaga,” he added.
Rondina continued her scoring hot streak, piling up 22 points from 17 attacks, four aces, and a block. Dimdim Pacres added a career-high 13 points.
Team captain Jema Galanza had just 10 points for the Lady Falcons who gave up 12 aces to the Tigresses.
The Golden Tigresses (2-2) take on the undefeated National University Lady Bulldogs (4-0) on Sunday at the FilOil Flying V Centre. The Lady Falcons (2-2) will try to recover against the Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles (2-2) on Wednesday, also at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
The Scores
UST (3) – Rondina 22, Pacres 13, Sandoval 9, Palec 5, Bicar 3, Francisco 3, Viray 1, Bangad 0, Pollentes (L)
AdU (0) – Galanza 10, Paat 7, Permentilla 5, Soyid 5, Dacoron 3, Emnas 2, Flora 0, Uy 0, Ponce (L)
