THE UST Golden Tigresses showed grit but failed to complete their comeback against the Ateneo Blue Eagles as they lost in five sets, 21-25, 25-27, 25-21, 25-22, 11-15, in their exhibition game at the University of Saint La Salle Coliseum in Bacolod on Oct. 9.
Holding a one-point lead in the fifth set, 12-11, Ateneo went on a quick 3-0 spurt capitalizing on two UST errors to win the game.
UST head coach Emilio “Kung Fu” Reyes said the team’s experience in the exhibition game, which had a huge crowd as it was held as part of Bacolod’s Masskara Festival, would help his rookies adjust to the UAAP.
“Nagpapasalamat kami sa ganitong opportunity dito sa Bacolod, kasi hindi lahat makaka-experience ng ganitong kalaki na crowd, makakatulong to sa rookies natin, sa kumpiyansa, sa experience,” he told the Varsitarian.
The first set was tied at 17-all when the Blue Eagles unleashed an 8-4 run to go up in the game, 1-0.
More consistent Tigresses showed up in the second set to reach set point, 25-24, but Ateneo went on a 3-0 run to gain a convincing 2-0 set lead.
An Eya Laure down-the-line kill won the third set for UST, 25-21, to avert a sweep.
The Tigresses blasted off with an 11-6 run, capped by an Imee Hernandzez kill, to open the fourth set.
With the Tigresses at set point in the fourth, 24-22, the Blue Eagles committed an error that extended the game to a fifth set.
Errors were the Achilles heel of the Tigresses in the deciding set which they lost, 15-11.
This is the first appearance of the Tigresses in the sports festival in Bacolod, while Ateneo was one of the regulars who participated in the exhibition match, Balik Yuhum foundation organizer Bea Tan said.
The exhibition game was held for the Balik Yuhum Volleyfest 2022 event. Balik Yuhum, or the return of smiles, is the theme of this year’s Masskara Festival, which was commemorated with a grand celebration for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic.
