23 May 2013, 7:19 p.m. – A LATE-GAME meltdown doomed the UST Lady Spikers in the opening game of their best-of-three, battle-for-third series against the Adamson Lady Falcons at the Shakey’s V-League.
Despite leading 2 sets to 1, the Lady Spikers faltered during key stretches on several occasions en route to a heartbreaking 25-23, 23-25, 25-19, 23-25, 12-15 loss at the Mall of Asia Thursday evening.
Maika Ortiz and guest player Aiza Maizo led UST with 18 and 16 points, respectively. Shiela Pineda and guest player Angela Benting carried the offensive load for Adamson with 23 markers apiece.
UST had the chance to close the match in the fourth set with a 23-20 lead but Carmela Tunay and Maizo commited back-to-back errors that allowed the Lady Falcons to recover. Pau Soriano, who tallied 18 points, capped Adamson’s five-point spurt with a service ace to force a deciding fifth set.
In the final frame, both teams were locked at 12-all but another series of UST miscues allowed Adamson to move within set point.
Pineda delivered the final blow with a through-the-block spike to complete Adamson’s comeback, 12-15.
Game 2 is set on Sunday, May 26, 1 p.m. at the same venue. Jose Antonio R. Nisay
