Nov. 14 2016, 9:45 p.m. – THE UST Golden Tigresses settled for fourth place after a 23-25, 19-25, 11-25 loss against the Balipure Purest Water Defenders in the 13th Shakey’s V-League Reinforced Conference at the PhilSports Arena Monday.
The Water Defenders toyed with UST’s floor defense with 45 kills and nine blocks to take home the bronze medal.
Fatigue took its toll for the Tigresses, who joined three leagues simultaneously, said head coach Emilio “Kung Fu” Reyes Jr.
“We had a good run in this tournament prior the semifinals but Unigames and [Philippine SuperLiga] happened at the same time. It’s not that na nag-se-settle kami sa fourth place pero pagod na rin ‘yung mga bata,” he said.
Balipure started the final set waxing hot, 16-11, then pulled away with the game-winning 9-0 run.
Kate Morrell led Balipure with 24 points off 22 spikes.
The Tigresses kept the game close in the second set, 14-15. But the Water Defenders erupted with a 9-3 run, highlighted by a quick kill from Amy Ahomiro, to arrive at set point, 24-17.
Ennajie Laure paced the Tigresses with 14 kills while Cherry Rondina had 10 markers.
Laure was named the second best outside hitter while Ria Meneses was awarded the top middle blocker in the conference. Carlo A. Casingcasing
