A DISMAL start did not faze the UST Lady Spikers from claiming their first victory in the Shakey’s V-league quarterfinals as they dealt UAAP archrival Far Eastern University with a 19-25, 25-18, 25-7, 25-19 whipping last May 19 at The Arena in San Juan.
The Lady Spikers, who topped the eliminations with a 5-1 win-loss record, struggled defensively to contain a hail of attacks from FEU stalwarts Cherry Mae Vivas, Mecaila Morada and Rachel Anne Daquis back in the first set.
But the FEU onslaught did not last long.
Sensing the Lady Tamaraws’ weak receptions, guest players Michelle Carolino and Mary Jean Balse launched themselves atop the net, firing a variety of kills and cross-court attacks coupled with a solid blocking effort from Hannah Mance to spark a 7-3 exchange for a 17-5 UST lead in the second frame. UST closed the set with a late 7-2 surge anchored on another attakking binge by Carolino and Aiza Maizo.
The Lady Spikers went on a 15-minute killing spree in the third canto to put UST ahead by two sets.
Wary of UST’s resurgence, FEU tried to regroup behind guest player Mayeth Carolino, who single-handedly carried the offensive load for the Lady Tamaraws in the fourth set. Carolino engaged Maizo in a furious net battle which pegged the score at 6-all.
But that was all Carolino could muster on the offensive end as her elder sister Michelle and Balse joined hands with Maizo to launch a massive counter-attack that saw the Lady Tamaraws trailing by a mile, 22-14, as the Lady Spikers completed the rout.
Balse topscored for UST with 20 points while Carolino racked up 15 markers for FEU.
Almost flawless
Going into the quarterfinals, UST trounced the College of Saint Benilde (25-10, 25-9, 25-15) last May 14, Lyceum of the Philippines (25-18, 18-25, 25-12, 25-20) last May 7 and FEU (25-23, 21-25, 25-22, 27-25) last May 5. However, the Lady Spikers suffered a freak loss to the now-eliminated Ateneo de Manila University, 22-25, 25-20, 25-15, 23-25, 16-14 last May 3.
Early wins
Last April 28, the Lady Spikers walked over the University of the Philippines Lady Maroons in straight sets, 25-10, 25-15, 25-16.
“The team enjoyed the game. Aside from having good reception, the girls played with relaxed minds. There was hardly any pressure on them,” assistant coach Norman Miguel told the Varsitarian.
True enough, a confident Lady Spikers squad conquered the Lady Maroons via Rhea Dimaculangan’s service aces which gave UST a comfortable 15-9 edge in the final set.
Bernice Co and Judy Ann Caballejo then took the offensive cudgels from Dimaculangan, keeping the Lady Maroons at bay, 23-16, with off-the-block kills before an attack error from UP’s Southlyn Ramos brought UST at match-point, 24-16. Dimaculangan’s drop shot in the next sequence sealed the match for UST.
Back in the opening set, UST rode on its solid blocking plays anchored on Maizo to give the Lady Spikers an imposing 23-9 lead.
UP stole the thunder from UST early in the second set with Lady Maroon Rebecca Montero at the firing end. But UP’s efforts were not enough as the black-gold-white spikers pulled away from an 11-all deadlock through a barrage of kills from Maizo, Caballejo, and Maika Ortiz.
UST continued its onslaught in the third set as Co, Ortiz, and Balse presided over a 6-0 end-game run to settle the outcome for good.
The Lady Spikers opened the tournament with back-to-back wins over Adamson University Lady Falcons, 25-9, 25-27, 25-18, 25-20, last April 23 and the San Sebastian College-Recoletos Lady Stags, 25-17, 25-19, 15-25, 13-25, 15-11, last April 19.
