07 April 2013, 7:43 p.m. – THE UST Lady Spikers opened their Shakey’s V-League campaign on a sour note, losing to the Ateneo de Manila University in straight sets, 25-23, 25-23, 25-20, at The Arena in San Juan Sunday afternoon.
In a rematch of last year’s finals encounter won by Ateneo, UST coach Odjie Mamon blamed his team’s awful reception for the loss.
“Our reception definitely hurt us in this game,” Mamon said. “We allowed 11 points from our misreceptions and the shots were not even power serves. They were easy shots.”
Guest player and former UST standout Aiza Maizo carried the load for UST with 12 points, while Carmela Tunay added 10 markers. Alyssa Valdez led the way for Ateneo with a game-high 22 points.
The Lady Spikers were powerless during Ateneo’s six-point rally capped by Jem Ferrer’s ace that put her squad ahead, 17-12, in the last frame. Valdez put the icing on the cake with a kill that went past the hands of Maizo.
UST will next face La Salle-Dasmarinas on Wednesday, April 10, at the same venue. Jose Antonio R. Nisay
