RESERVE players stepped up for UST as the Golden Tigresses dispatched the National University Lady Bulldogs 21-25, 25-14, 25-14, 25-12, in the UAAP Season 79 women’s volleyball tournament at the Filoil Flying-V Centre in San Juan Wednesday.
After losing the first set, the Golden Tigresses prevented NU from scoring 15 points in each of the following sets as they tallied 45 attack points against the Lady Bulldogs’ 25.
Veterans Cherry Rondina and EJ Laure showed way for UST with 15 and 11 points, respectively. But bench players Dimdim Pacres and Alina Bicar sparked the onslaught for the Tigresses.
Pacres scored 11 points while Bicar, who entered in the second set, finished with nine points and 30 excellent sets highlighted by her five service aces.
“Mahalaga lang din na panalo para sa amin kasi ito yung magdidictate ng tempo namin. Magandang motivation para sa amin. Medyo swerte lang din siguro, masama lang din siguro ang gising ni NU. Ngayon narerelax na yung mga player,” said UST head coach Emilio “Kung Fu” Reyes.
Jaja Santiago was the lone Lady Bulldog to score in double digits with 15.
UST is within striking distance of a Final Four spot as it holds the tiebreaker against NU with a similar 3-3 record.
The Tigresses will end the first round against the Far Eastern University on Mar. 4, Saturday, 2 p.m., at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
