MANILA – University of the Philippines Lady Maroons recovered from two sets down to beat Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws 14-25, 22-25, 26-24, 25-18, 15-5 in Game 1 of the Premier Volleyball League Collegiate Conference finals at the San Juan Arena.
Maria Alina Molde led the balanced attack with double-double 16 points and 15 digs while Roselyn Rosier added 15 markers for UP, which can clinch its first major title in decades if it wins Game 2 on Wednesday.
After struggling in the first two sets on Sunday, UP looked poised for a sweep by FEU after seeing its 21-16 lead vanish to a 24-all score, but the Lady Tamaraws committed back-to-back errors that forced a fourth set.
UP started strong in the fourth set and managed to build a 20-13 lead behind Maristela Layug, Ayie Gannaban and Marian Buitre. The Lady Tamaraws tried to bounce back but errors from them stunted their rally.
The Lady Maroons went for the kill in the fifth set as they established a 12-3 edge behind Molde, Rosier and Layug. After back-to-back points from the FEU, the Lady Maroons ended the run with 2 straight points from Molde and Rosier.
“I thought my players did a great job of staying focused despite our struggles. We were having a hard time passing in the first two sets. But we eventually made it through,” said UP head coach Godfrey Okumu.
Celine Domingo finished with 16 points, on nine attacks, four aces and three blocks, before sitting out the fifth set with an injury while Heather Guino-o added 17 markers for the Lady Tamaraws.
Meanwhile Milena Alessandrini dropped 31 points as University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses romped past Adamson Lady Falcons 25-20, 27-29, 25-13, 19-25, 17-15 in the battle-for-third place series./PN
