THE NAZARETH School of National University Lady Bullpups outlasted the UST Junior Golden Tigresses in a thrilling 25-19, 16-25, 26-24, 23-25, 15-11 win in Game 1 of the UAAP girls’ volleyball championship at the Arena in San Juan Monday.
UST managed to cut the deficit to three in the fifth frame, 11-14, but Lady Bullpup Ivy Lacsina’s service ace sealed the game.
“‘Yung maturity nagkulang. Kasi pagdating sa crucial situations, hindi nao-organize ‘yung galaw. Pero sinabi namin sa mga bata [na] it’s a good fight [and] a good game. Hindi pa naman tapos,” UST assistant coach Yani Fernandez told the Varsitarian.
Arriving at set point in the fourth frame, 24-23, Eya Laure forced a decider for UST.
UST squandered the set point in the third set after NU fired a 4-0 blitz capped by Alyssa Solomon’s through-the-block hit, 26-24.
The Junior Tigresses led by as much as five midway in the second set, before riding on a 6-2 run capped by a Laure kill, 25-16.
Lady Bullpup Lacsina’s soft hit in the first set gave NU the first blood, 25-19.
Faith Nisperos led the Bullpups with 15 points while Solomon chalked up 11 markers.
Laure paced UST with 19 points while Imee Hernandez and Maji Mangulabnan combined for 18 markers.
The Junior Tigresses will try to bounce back on Dec. 4, Monday, 4 p.m., at the same venue.
