THE UST Lady Spikers are back on track after thrashing the University of the East, 26-14, 25-16, 25-23, in their UAAP tussle at The Arena in San Juan last Jan. 30.
The Lady Spikers, who faltered against two-time champion De La Salle University last Jan. 26, remained in the hunt of a Final Four seat with a 6-4 win-loss card. They are tied with Adamson University and Far Eastern University at third spot.
Sophomore Carmela Tunay unleashed 11 points, including two blocks, for UST. But it was the offensive trio of team captain Judy Caballejo, Maika Ortiz, and Maru Banaticla that did most of the damage in the third set.
UE drilled five-straight points on UST’s unforced errors in the last frame to stay within striking distance. But that was the last time the Lady Warriors would score as Lady Spiker Chlodia Cortez denied a Leuseht Dawis attack to put the icing on the cake.
Sarina Bulan paced the UE side with 13 markers while Dawis added 10.
“I’m more of giving motivation to the team because it’s already too late to change the system,” coach Odjie Mamon said. “Our veterans played really well especially when they‘re needed the most.”
Earlier, the Tiger Spikers fell short against long-time rival FEU Tamaraws, 23-25, 24-26, 25-22, 25-22, 15-17.
Mark Gil Alfafara exploded for a career-high 27 points to go with six blocks for the Tiger Spikers, who are tied with La Salle at fourth place with a 5-5 record. Karl Dela Calzada led the Tamaraws with 21 markers.
In the deciding set, UST’s Romnick Rico blew a 14-13 UST advantage with a service error, allowing FEU to tie the count.
Alfafara immediately retaliated with a kill to put the squad on top, 15-14, before John Ian Depamaylo scored three-straight points and deal the Tiger Spikers their fifth loss. Hedrix Ar-ar C. Caballe and Alexis U. Cerado
