The razor-sharp University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons dismantled the National University Lady Bulldogs in straight sets 25-19, 25-21, 25-20 to end the UAAP Women’s Volleyball Tournament first round at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
UP wasted no time shoving NU to a deep, dark corner. The Lady Maroons not only worked hard to pick apart the Lady Bulldogs’ reception, they also lorded it over the net where NU had a decisive height advantage. UP sprinted to a 16-8 lead in the first set then a 19-14 advantage in the second. The Lady Bulldogs simply had no drive to muster a comeback.
Like throwing pasta at a wall, NU head coach Roger Gorayeb went with a starting six in the third frame that he hadn’t used this season. Without Jaja Santiago and Myla Pablo on the court, NU stayed within a point of UP, until Diana Carlos and Isa Molde took over and mounted a 4-0 run. Ahead 19-14, the Lady Maroons protected their lead and sent NU to their third straight loss.
“First of all, it was more NU than UP,” said UP head coach Jerry Yee immediately, as he entered the press room. “Not to take anything away from how our girls played, but alam naman nating may mas mailalalaro pa ‘yung NU doon. It’s a good thing nakalaro natin sila when we did.”
UP had three players in double-digits, with Nicole Tiamzon and Isa Molde each recording 13 points, while Diana Carlos pitched in 12 markers.
NU only had Jorelle Singh in double-digits with 16 markers. Rookie Jasmine Nabor contributed six points.
UP are now at third place, tied with FEU with a 4-3 record. NU are tied with Adamson at 3-4.
The Scores
UP (3) – Molde 13, Tiamzon 13, Carlos 12, Buitre 9, Bersola 6, Gannaban 4, Lai 2, Alinas 0, Dorog 0, Gaiser (L), Estranero (L)
NU (0) – Singh 16, Nabor 6, Santiago 4, Urdas 4, Pablo Ma. 3, Pablo My. 3, Doria 3, Diolan 0, Perez 0, Soliven 0, Valdez (L), General (L)
