WITH the arrival of highly-touted
rookies and the return of an improved core of veterans, the UST Golden
Tigresses seek to end their two-year playoff drought in the UAAP Season 77
women’s volleyball tournament, which is set to unveil todayat the Mall of
Asia Arena.
Newly-minted team captain Pamela
Lastimosa, the only consistent Tigress last year, eyes a repeat of her
performance this year but one with better team success.
“Nandoon ‘yung responsibility na in and
out of the court, ikaw ‘yung magiging example ng teammates mo. I encourage them
to play our best para manalo kami and reach our goal for the season [qualify
for the Final Four],” Lastimosa said.
Backing up Lastimosa are mainstays
Jesse de Leon, Carmela Tunay, Shakey’s V-League Best Blocker Marivic Meneses as
well as rookies EJ Laure, the V-League Best Scorer and UAAP Beach Volleyball
champion Cherry Rondina.
Head coach Odjie Mamon said the
Tigresses would rely heavily on the towering Meneses, noting that her continued
improvement in the middle would be key to UST’s success this year.
“She improved [Meneses], first playing
year niya last season and maganda ‘yung confidence level niya,” Mamon said in a
previous interview with the Varsitarian.
With a plethora of capable offensive
options, Alexine Cabanos attempts to finally fix the setter position for the
Tigresses after taking over Loren Lantin, who already played her final year.
“Final Four ang target namin sa women’s team kasi mabigat talaga ‘yung
competition. We will do our part, malalim ‘yung pang-gagalingan natin kaya we
have to improve and we’re working hard on it,” added Mamon, who also handles
the Tiger Spikers this year.
Other key returnees for the Tigresses are graduating players Dancel
Dusaran and Chlodia Cortez whole Mary Pacres, Alyssa Alterado and Sarah
Verutiao round up UST’s set of rookies.
Tricia Santos and rookie
Rica Jane Rivera, Rondina’s partner in beach volleyball, are out with injuries. By the Sports team
