University of Santo Tomas Tigresses continued its magical run early in the 13th Shakey’s V-League Reinforced Conference as they shocked and sent down Balipure Purest Water Defenders in four sets, 21-25, 25-21, 25-23, and 25-13, Saturday evening at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
Ennajie Laure led the Tigresses’ offense with 23 markers, with 20 off attacks. Carla Sandoval had 12, while Pam Lastimosa chipped in 11 points. Alex Cabanis had 31 excellent sets.
The Water Defenders were still shaking off rust early in the opening set, but managed to crawl back in the match and establish the set’s widest gap at seven, 18-11. UST, behind Laure, tried to fight back, 21-17, but Balipure’s quick hits were too much as the Water Defenders went up to a 1-0 set lead, 25-21.
With Balipure slowing down yet again, UST capitalized and clicked on offense right away, even posting a wide, ten-point lead, 19-9, in the second frame. However, the team in blue came back strong and threatened UST, 23-21, but an error on their part and an ace by UST helped the Tigresses get even, 25-21.
With their tempo not in tune, UST trailed early in the third set. Balipure went up by four, 17-13, midway, but the Tigresses woke up from the lag and fought back hard behind Laure and Pacres to get even at 19-all. From there, it was all UST as they outscored Balipure, 6-2, to win the set, 25-23, and go up with a 2-1 lead.
Gaining confidence from the previous set, the Tigresses carried over their momentum in the fourth period. They even led by as much as eight, 18-10, and from there, the Tigresses went full blast to breeze to a 25-13 set win to earn their third straight victory.
“Sabi ko naman sa kanila, alam naman na nila manalo. Ang gagawin na lang, trabahuhin,” said UST head coach Emilio Reyes in tonight’s win. “May lapses kami nung first set, buti nabawi namin.”
Foreign reinforcement Katherine Morrell paced Balipure and led all scorers with 25 markers off 21 attacks.
UST (3-0) will face UP on Monday, October 10. Balipure’s (0-1) next match, meanwhile, will pit them against Bureau of Customs on Wednesday, October 12. Both matches are set at 6PM.
The Scores:
UST (3) – Laure 23, Sandoval 12, Lastimosa 11, Meneses 10, Cortez 5, Pacres 4, Cabanos 3, Palec 1, Bicar 1, Francisco 0, Rivera L, Rasmo L.
Balipure (1) – Morrell 25, Gervacio 10, Ahomiro 9, Manns 9, Soriano 5, Roces 1, Tajima 0, De Jesus 0, Lazaro L.
