29 June 2014, 3:06 p.m. – THE UST Golden Tigresses had a disastrous showing in the Cagayan Friendship Games and settled for fourth place at the end of the week-long volleyball tournament in Tuguegarao City Sunday.
After winning their opening game against Cignal HD, the young Golden Tigresses were overwhelmed by veteran teams in their succeeding games and wound up with a 1-4 record.
UST bowed to a powerhouse PLDT-Tuguegarao team featuring Dindin Santiago, Louann Latigay, Angela Benting and import Jeng Bualee in the battle for bronze in straight sets, 25-16, 26-25, 25-15.
The Tigresses also surrendered to the same PLDT squad in similar fashion in their first meeting during the eliminations, 25-18, 25-15, 25-19.
The PLDT Spikers showed relentless offense from the get-go to cruise past UST in the first set and led by as much as 10 points, 19-9, in the second.
Rookie EJ Laure, who broke out in the Shakey’s V-League, displayed resiliency in the third set, giving her squad a taste of the lead, 6-4, before PLDT sparked a 12-4 rally to zoom for the win.
UST, likewise, suffered beatings against Cagayan Valley and the Philippine Army Lady Troopers who were led by Thai import Amporn Hyapha and Rachel Anne Daquis, respectively.
The Golden Tigresses were the lone UAAP team to participate in the women’s division of the Cagayan Friendship games and will next see action during the second semester in the UAAP.
