LEAVING their dismal first-round performance behind, the UST Lady Spikers repulsed a stubborn Ateneo de Manila University squad in a four-set thriller, 14-25, 25-21, 25-19, 25-23, at The Arena in San Juan last Jan. 15.
With the win, UST (5-3) is now just a game behind Ateneo (6-2), which is at second place.
Maruja Banaticla, one of four Lady Spikers who finished in double figures, sparkled with 15 points for UST. She kept Ateneo’s defense off-balanced with her cross-court kills.
“We’re still vying for that second spot, and maybe even the top, since these rankings will give an advantage come the Final Four,” coach Odjie Mamon said.
He said the recent encounter was one of the team’s best games yet, with all of the Lady Spikers, bench players included, filling in the gaps on any position on the court.
The Lady Spikers survived Ateneo in a grueling fourth set, 25-23, with back-to-back scores courtesy of a kill from rookie Loren Lantin and an ace from Katrina Carangan.
Midway in the second canto, team captain and veteran setter Rhea Dimaculangan twisted her left ankle and had to leave the game. But the Lady Spikers were unfazed and pummeled Ateneo with a 10-4 blit, to tie the match at one set apiece.
In the first set, Ateneo bombarded UST’s side with a 13-4 rally anchored on Gretchen Ho’s attack. But UST rallied behind Dimaculangan to shock Ateneo en route the second frame.
Pamela Lastimosa, Judy Caballejo, and Maika Ortiz contributed 12 points each to help carry the scoring load for UST in absence of Dimaculangan.
Male Spikers lose
A lethargic UST Tiger Spikers succumbed to Far Eastern University (FEU), 19-25, 25-23, 22-25, 17-25.
The Tiger Spikers relied on Salvador Depante III, who fired 13 attacks and Romnick Rico, who chalked up 10 points. FEU’s Arvin Avila topscored for the Tamaraws with 22.
UST took the lead in the first set, 15-13. But FEU exploded with an 8-0 run with Alexis Faytaren burying a backcourt smash to take the lead, 16-20.
