February 16, 11:50 p.m. –THE UST Lady Spikers trounced a pesky Adamson University in a four-setter match, 25-23, 25-18, 17-25, 25-21, at The Arena in San Juan today, securing a ticket to the Finals to defend their crown.
With 11 deadlocks in the first canto, both teams were eager to start strong but series of errors plagued Adamson while UST relied on the heroics of Aiza Maizo and Maruja Banaticla.
Adamson tried to clinch the second canto by executing a 6-0 run, 1-6, but UST retaliated with their own 8-0 scoring salvo, 8-6, solidified with down the line hits by Maizo and Verlyn Bernal.
Unyielding, Adamson tried to control the third set with Angela Benting’s cross-court attack, 13-16, beefed up by Paulina Soriano’s witty shots to eventually take the set, 17-25.
UST took the driver’s seat in the fourth set banking on Maizo’s veteran poise and Maika Ortiz’s solid blocks.
Maizo chalked up 20 points for UST while Benting had 23 markers for Adamson. Anne Marie Carmela L. Dayauon
