THE UST Golden Tigresses took down the University of the Philippines Lady Maroons, 21-25, 25-22, 25-16, 25-20, in the UAAP Season 81 women’s volleyball tournament last Feb. 24 at the Arena in San Juan.
Filipino-Italian sophomore Milena Alessandrini’s block ended the Tigresses’ 7-4 burst in the fourth frame to give UST the victory.
UST opened the third canto with a 20-7 bomb as rookie Eya Laure sealed the set with an off-the-block hit for a commanding 2-1 set advantage.
With the second salvo tied at 22-all, the Tigresses ignited a three-point swing, topped by Sisi Rondina’s crosscourt kill to equalize the game at one-set apiece.
Caitlyn Viray’s service error capped a 6-2 UP run that broke a 19-all deadlock in the opening canto.
“It was an unpredictable game kasi noong first set struggle talaga pero we overcame it. We did our all sa execution of our attacks and defense,” UST head coach Emilio “Kung Fu” Reyes Jr. said.
The Tigresses hit eight service aces while the Lady Maroons had three.
Alessandrini powered UST with 22 points while Laure and Rondina chipped in 18 and 17 markers, respectively.
UP’s Tots Carlos scored 20 markers.
Young guns
While team captain Rondina has taken over most of the scoring load for the Tigresses anew, averaging a league-leading 18 points per game (ppg), Reyes said he also found key players in rookies Eya Laure, KC Galdones, Mafe Galanza and Janel Delerio.
“’Yong rookies, sila ang pinaka-backbone ng team. Sila ang takbuhan namin kapag hindi nagde-deliver ang seniors. Kung walang backbone, siguradong malalaglag kami,” he said in a post-game interview.
Former UAAP juniors’ Best Opposite Hitter Laure has been a solid contributor for the Tigresses, averaging 15.6 ppg, while Galdones tallied 5.6 ppg.
“Ito ang team na talagang matagal na naming hinahanap. Dati, si Sisi (Rondina) nakaka-30 points pero hindi pa rin kami nananalo. But ngayon, may katulong na siya at nagiging balanse na ‘yong team. May back-up na siya at support system,” he said.
After a dismal 4-10 campaign last Season 80, Reyes is confident his team is on the right track this year.
“Kahit natalo kami sa Ateneo last game, we are still in a good position. We will continue what we are performing. We will play like wala nang bukas,” he said.
UST is second in the league in spiking, third in service and reception, fourth in digging and blocking and fifth setting.
Despite an impressive showing early this season, the tactician said the team still needs to improve on their consistency.
The Tigresses are on a two-way tie with the Lady Maroons for second place in the standings with a 2-1 win-loss record.
UST will try to snatch another win against the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws on March 2, Saturday, 2 p.m., at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
