THE UST Golden Tigresses suffered their third straight loss, this time at the hands of defending champion Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles, 21-25, 13-25, 19-25, in the UAAP Season 77 women’s volleyball tournament at The Arena in San Juan last Dec. 6.
The Golden Tigresses dropped to a 1-3 win-loss record, while the Lady Eagles remained undefeated in four games.
UST head coach Odjie Mamon attributed his team’s third consecutive defeat to his seniors’ poor performance.
Veterans Pamela Lastimosa and Carmela Tunay scored only two points each as the Tigresses have lost nine of their last 10 sets since dismantling the University of the East in their season opener.
“I have five days to work on my seniors and win back their confidence. Definitely ngayong game non-factor sila or negative. I’ll give them time to [reflect] tomorrow,” Mamon said.
Alyssa Valdez topscored for the Lady Eagles with 22 points, while none of the Tigresses scored in double figures. Jessey de Leon led the Golden Tigresses with eight.
In the third set, Jorelle de Jesus took charge down the stretch after hitting three off-the-block hits for an 18-14 Ateneo advantage. The Lady Eagles then cruised to a 25-19 win.
Ateneo dropped a 13-2 bomb in the second frame behind the exploits of De Jesus and Valdez to build a commanding 12-point lead, 24-11.
UST had a good start in the opening set, holding a six-point lead after a block of Ria Meneses, 15-9. But UST collapsed in the end after Valdez took over the scoring for the defending champions.
In their previous game, the Golden Tigresses were upset by the University of the Philippines in four sets, 24-26, 25-23, 20-25, 17-25, at the same venue last Dec. 3.
Trailing by four points, 19-23, UST erupted with a 6-0 rally to snatch the second set to even the match at 1-1.
However, the game went downhill for the Tigresses from then on in the final two sets, after failing to counter UP’s barrage as the Lady Maroons cruised for the win.
Prized rookie EJ Laure scored a career-high 19 points, including 17 spikes, while Lastimosa added 13 markers.
