MANILA – University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses bucked the absence of Milena Alessandrini to score a 25-20, 25-22, 25-17 sweep over De La Salle University Lady Spikers in UAAP Season 81 women’s volleyball on Wednesday at San Juan Arena.
Cherry Rondina led the way with 19 points, including 17 attacks, while rookie Ejiya Laure added 15 markers for the Golden Tigresses, which improved to 3-2 win-loss slate with the win.
The Golden Tigresses jumped to an 11-3 lead early in the first set but the Lady Spikers mounted a run to come to within 12-13. UST gained its ground behind Rondina and Laure to take the set.
Both teams were into tight exchange in the second frame with the score tied at 22-all but the Lady Spikers committed three consecutive errors allowing the Golden Tigresses to take a 2-0 set lead.
The Lady Spikers went up early in the third period but the Golden Tigresses quickly erased it and build a 16-12 edge. It grew further to as high as 22-14 with the DLSU committing errors.
“Maganda ang gising ng mga player. Big win, big win para sa akin. Dedicated ang laban para kay Amiga (Alessandrini). This time, medyo may pagkakataon, physically and mentally, pinepe-prepare namin ang mga bata,” said UST head coach Emilio Reyes.
Ilongga Aduke Ogunsaya, rookie Jolina Dela Cruz and Norielle Ipac tallied eight points each for the defending champions Lady Spikers, which suffered its second straight loss to drop to 3-2 card./PN
