March 16, 2016, 8:28p.m. – THE GOLDEN TIGRESSES brushed off a pesky Adamson University Lady Falcons in a five-set thriller, 25-22, 17-25, 20-25, 25-23, 15-12, in the second round of eliminations of the UAAP Season 78 women’s volleyball tournament at the San Juan Arena Wednesday.
UST banked on steady offense and tight net defense, boasting of 54 attacks and 10 block points to improve to a 5-5 win-loss card.
The Golden Tigresses had a slim lead late in the final frame, 13-12, before Jessey de Leon fired back-to-back points to seal the match for UST.
With the game tied at 22-all in the fourth set, the Lady Falcons could have ended the match, but UST uncorked a 3-1 run to force a decider.
“In the latter part, sa fifth set, very crucial ‘yung binigay na service error. Buti na lang nakabalik agad, nakapag-execute ng play agad,” UST head coach Emilio “Kung Fu” Reyes said. “Hindi ko masabi kung nagma-mature kami. Ang puwede kong sabihin nagpapabaya kami at ‘yun ang pinipilit naming baguhin.”
UST captain Ennajie Laure and Cherry Ann Rondina led the charge for the Tigresses with 21 markers apiece while de Leon added 11 points. Adamson’s May Roque scored 21 points.
The Tigresses tied the score at 16-all in the third salvo after being down by as much as six points, but the Lady Falcons went on an 8-3 run to reach set point. A miscommunication in the Golden Tigresses gave Adamson a 2-1 set advantage.
The Golden Tigresses will face two-time defending champions Ateneo de Manila Lady Eagles on March 19, Saturday 3:30 p.m., at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig. Carlo A. Casingcasing
