Nov. 12 2016, 8:05 p.m. – THE UST Golden Tigresses faltered against the BaliPure Purest Water Defenders, 25-19, 16-25, 18-25, 18-25, in Game 1 of their battle for third clash in the 13th Shakey’s V-League Reinforced Conference at the PhilSports Arena Saturday.
UST cut an 11-point deficit to six in an attempt to force a fifth set, 13-19, but Balipure’s Katherine Morrell fired back-to-back hits for the win.
The Water Defenders punished the Tigresses with 54 kills and 10 service aces.
“‘Yung attitude towards the game talaga ‘yung kailangan naming solusyunan. Kapag tumigil at naiwanan [yung bola,] biglang mawawalan ng gana, assistant coach Christian Fernandez said in an interview.
“Pero sabi ko naman sa mga bata na hindi pa naman tapos. Io-overachieve namin ‘yung makapasok sa Final Four para kahit papaano ay maganda ang exit namin.”
EJ Laure powered UST with 23 points while Cherry Rondina contributed 10.
Morrell led the Water Defenders with 25 points while Amy Ahomiro added 11 markers.
UST snatched the first set but lost composure in the second set after Balipure fired a 6-0 blitz for an 18-10 lead.
The Tigresses will try to bounce back in Game 2 on Nov. 14, Monday, 4 p.m., at the same venue. Jan Carlo Anolin
