THE UST Golden Tigresses displayed awful offense as they bowed to defending champion De La Salle University in straight sets, 8-25, 25-27, 13-25, in the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament at The Arena in San Juan last Dec. 8.
After a woeful first set, the Golden Tigresses regrouped and started the second frame with a 5-1 lead off back-to-back service aces from Jem Gutierrez.
La Salle answered with a through-the-block attack from team captain Abigail Maraño, which penetrated Pam Lastimosa’s outstretched hands to tie the game at seven.
It was a see-saw battle from then on as Carmela Tunay’s attack put UST ahead anew, 13-10, before Kim Fajardo made consecutive service aces to give the lead back to La Salle, 24-21.
Tunay, who delivered 10 points for UST, again pounded on the Lady Spikers’ defense with powerful hits that tied the game at 24. Ria Meneses then won a joust against La Salle’s Mika Reyes to put UST at set point, 25-24.
But Gutierrez committed a service error that cost the Golden Tigresses the set. Maraño, who paced the Lady Spikers with 14 points, blocked Lastimosa’s attack before Ara Galang closed the set with a spike from the right.
“The third set was like a repeat of the first set since the girls regretted not winning the second set,” coach Odjie Mamon said.
In their opening game last Dec. 4, Gutierrez led the Golden Tigresses to a 25-15, 22-25, 25-21, 25-22 victory over University of the Philippines (UP).
Pressured by the departure of star player Maru Banaticla, Gutierrez unconsciously stepped up for the team.
“I didn’t expect my performance to be like that,” said Gutierrez, who tallied 20 points. “It’s good that coach guides us well, which led to my good performance.”
Late in the fourth set, Gutierrez, along with Jessey de Leon, sizzled on offense to help stop the bleeding and secure the win for UST.
The Lady Maroons capitalized on UST’s errors to reduce a five-point lead to two, 16-18, in the fourth frame.
UP inched closer, 22-23, off back-to-back points from Hannah Mangulabnan and Katherine Bersola, who finished with 13 markers, to put more pressure on the Golden Tigresses. But Gutierrez’ crosscourt attack and service ace closed the game.
