A YOUNG Tiger Spikers squad pulled off an opening day victory, 25-17, 25-22, 25-23, over the National University Bulldogs last July 25 at the University of the Philippines Human Kinetics Gymnasium in Diliman.
UST Tiger Spikers coach Emiliano Lontoc’s great offensive rotation of Nimrod Ruelos, Renyjohn Balse, Robertly Boto and Carlo Lubi caught the Bulldogs’ defense napping in the first set.
Hard-hitting Bulldog spikers Carandang and Labide dished out strong smashes in the second juncture to keep up with the Tigers.
After Tiger Jake Lagar’s monstrous down-the-line spike at the 20-15 mark, the Bulldogs went on a 6-1 blast to tie the game. However, open hitters Lubi and sophomore Glenn Boongaling forced their spikes on the NU court toward matchpoint. Lagar finished the set with a cross-court smash.
The Bulldogs had the chance to extend the game to a fourth set. Three straight errors by UST toward the end of the third set had the Tigers hanging on to a precarious 24-23 lead. Boto delivered the crucial kill to win the game for UST in straight sets.
Despite the early win posted by the Spikers, Lontoc is not satisfied.
“Our techniques in blocking were not properly executed,” he said.
Nevertheless, Lontoc sees their first win as a good start and a morale-booster for the rookie and sophomore-laden team.
On the distaff side, the Lady Spikers experienced payback in a gruelling five-setter against defending UAAP champs De La Salle University Lady Archers last Sunday.
The Lady Spikers felt the absence of veteran players Anna Fulo and Joyce Pano as they suffered their first loss, 20-25, 25-21, 22-25, 26-24, 9-15, against the Taft-based squad since sweeping the Shakey’s tournament early this month.
In the opening set, UST’s backline defense took a back seat to DLSU’s open hitter Carissa Gotis and center spiker Maureen Penetrante.
Bucking a sluggish start, the Lady Spikers rallied behind skipper Kate Co Yu Kang and sophomore open spiker Venus Bernal, who both registered surprise attacks and a couple of service aces to tie the game at 20. Then, rookie Mary Jean Balse unleashed the stuff she is made off as she delivered the last two attacks of the set.
The Taft-based Spikers capitalized on a series of UST errors, to pull an early lead, 2-13, in the third juncture. The España-based netters caught up midway through the set, after establishing good blocking position and powerful kills by Balse and Bernal. But the mistakes became one too many for UST as DLSU took the set in stride, only with seven points in attacks.
UST refused to die in the fourth set, with Balse and Kate CoYu Kang scoring off the DLSU blockers. The Lady Spikers were saved by the technicalities after a rotation error by the Lady Archers following Balse’s service to force a rubber match.
Desiree Hernandez, 2003 UAAP Most Valuable Player, seemed to be all over the court in the deciding set as she dominated offensively and defensively to hand a fatigued and frustrated UST squad its first loss.
