ANGELI Tabaquero returned to UST’s fold with a bang, steering the squad against the Lyceum University of the Philippines Lady Pirates, 25-20, 25-21, 25-19, for its third straight win at the ongoing Shakey’s V-League last October 16 at the Blue Eagle gym.
With the victory, the Lady Spikers remained on top of the standings with a 3-0 win-loss record, boosting their bid for back-to-back titles.
“This is just the beginning. I don’t want to think of the finals yet. At this moment, we continue preparing for every match.
“We still need to make a few adjustments in the team,” head coach Cesael delos Santos said.
UST dominated much of the opening set until the Lady Pirates managed to tie at 18-apiece. But consecutive kills and back-to-back service aces from Tabaquero regained the lead for UST, 24-19. Team captain Aiza Maizo ended the set with a sneaky drop over the outstretched arms of Lyceum blockers, 25-20.
The Lady Spikers began the second set with sharp attacks for an early 4-0 lead. But a series of unforced errors allowed Lyceum to close in at 11-8, courtesy of off-the-block hits by Joy Cases.
Assaults from Lyceum’s Syvie Artates and Jamie Peña allowed the team to cut UST’s lead to two, 15-13.
But the Lady Spikers hung on, until prized rooing Maru Banaticla closed the set with a well-placed drop, 25-21.
Both squads entered the third set with unforced errors, but newcomer Denise Santiago soon found her groove to score a running spike. A second-touch endline attack by Maizo put the score at 3-1 in favor of UST.
It was all UST from then on as the Lady Spikers scored almost at will to jack up the lead to seven, 12-5. Lyceum sparked an endgame rally, but an off-the-block attack by Maika Ortiz and service aces from Rhea Dimaculangan and Santiago snatched the win for UST.
Tabaquero topscored for the Lady Spikers with 12 points, 11 from her attacks, while Cases led the Lady Pirates with 17 points.
Tabaquero will be back with UST for good after missing three conferences to focus on her studies.
Former national team stalwart Roxanne Pimentel, who first saw action in the V-league three years after she last played in the UAAP, will also reinforce UST’s roster as its guest player for this conference.
In previous games, UST won a heart-pounding match against the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws, 17-25, 28-26, 25-22, 25-17, last October 13 and before conquering the Adamson University Lady Falcons, 25-18, 17-25, 25-17, 25-16, to open their Shakey’s V-League campaign on a high note last October 11 at the San Juan Arena.
