THE UST Golden Tigresses clawed their way to a second straight win after surviving a pesky College of St. Benilde Lady Blazers, 25-12, 17-25, 25-21, 26-28, 15-7, in the 12th Shakey’s V-League Collegiate Conference at the San Juan Arena last July 26.
The Tigresses showcased a balanced attack after five of their starters scored in double digits, led by veteran Carmela Tunay with a team-high 15 points, 12 coming from attacks.
With the game tied at two sets apiece, both teams went back-and-forth with the Lady Blazers only trailing by two points, 6-8, until UST pulled away with a crucial 7-1 run anchored by team captain Pam Lastimosa’s back-to-back aces.
Jessey de Leon delivered the finishing blow with a down-the-line hit as the Tigresses improved to a 2-1 win-loss record.
UST’s towering net defense proved to be pivotal in its win as the squad tallied 18 block points, 11 coming from de Leon and Ria Meneses combined, against Benilde’s eight.
The Tigresses had a chance to win the game in four sets after having the match point, 25-24, but their defensive lapses haunted them down as the Lady Blazers delivered consecutive hits followed by an untimely Tunay error.
“Thankful ako na nanalo kami, marami lang talaga kaming nasayang na opportunities. [Paghahandaan namin] first ‘yung receive then next yung services kasi minsan nawawala,” said UST head coach Emilio Reyes.
De Leon finished the game with 14 points while Lastimosa, Meneses and EJ Laure had 12 markers apiece.
Jannine Navarro paced Benilde with a game-high 21 points but saw her effort come to waste after lacking offensive backing from her teammates with only Jeannete Panaga scoring in double digits.
Last July 18, after opening their season with a loss, the Tigresses bounced back and defeated the De La Salle University-Dasmarinas Lady Patriots, 25-13, 25-12, 23-25, 25-18, to register their first win.
The Golden Tigresses drew prolific performances from the trio of Laure, Lastimosa and Tunay who combined for 51 points.
After surrendering the third set, UST controlled the pace of the fourth by building a seven-point cushion, 20-13, but the Lady Patriots came back after three consecutive Tigresses errors, 20-17.
The Tigresses would eventually get back to their senses with a swift 5-1 spurt highlighted by Laure’s back-to-back kills to seal the game.
