NOT THIS time.
The UST Volleyball teams showed amazing tenacity to keep in step with the league-leaders, but their weaknesses caught up with them in the most crucial games of the season.
The UST Lady Spikers sorely missed the services of veteran spikers Anna Fulo and Joyce Pano in their finals match where they lost, 17-25, 17-25, 12-25, to De La Salle University (DLSU) last Sept. 25. The España-based lady spikers will have to settle for another bridesmaid finish behind DLSU this year.
Most Valuable Player Award winner Maureen Penetrante led the Taft-based squad to a blazing 14-0 sweep of the UAAP Season 67 Volleyball Tournament.
The Lady Archers capitalized on UST’s low confidence in the third set and aggressively challenged the UST blockers. DLSU displayed true champion form in the homestretch as ace setter Reina Ferina Saet delivered the final point of the game.
Coach Augusto Santamaria is aware of the definite advantage of the Ramil de Jesus-led team. UST will count on Rookie of the Year Balse to lead next year.
Tiger spikers
The amazing yet surprising run of the Tiger Spikers in the UAAP was cut short by the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons in the Final Four knock out match last Sept. 29.
Not able to sustain a hot start, Coach Emil Lontoc’s young squad suffered a 25-22, 19-25, 18-25, 24-26, loss to the Diliman-based team to end UAAP Season 67 in fourth place, a notch higher than their placing last year.
UST saw the last of their two veterans. Skipper and main setter Christian Fernandez will not be suiting up for the Tigers next year to focus on his studies while quicker Nimrod Ruelos has played out his UAAP years.
Despite the departure of key players, the rookies and sophomores have shown flashes of brilliance during the tournament. Quicker Robertly Boto has the same intensity and power of Ruelos and sophomore setter Glenn Artajos, although still lacking in court savvy, is a potential ace setter for UST. Libero Charles Reyes, who performed at par with veteran liberos of other squads like Paolo Martinez of UP, will only get better next year.
