MANILA – University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons stayed unbeaten in the UAAP Season 84 women’s volleyball with a 25-12, 25-22, 24-26, 27-29, 15-11 victory over Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws on Saturday night at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Negrense rookie Alyssa Bertolano showed her way anew with triple-double 25 points, 11 excellent receptions and 10 excellent digs as the Fighting Maroons moved up to 2-0.
Aklanon rookie Irah Jaboneta also ended up with a triple-double for the Fighting Maroons as he chipped in 13 points, 14 excellent receptions, and 12 excellent digs.
Lorie Lyn Bernardo and Jewel Encarnacion also hit double-figures with 13 and 12, respectively, while Ilongga Marianne Sotomil steered UP’s offense with 31 excellent sets.
With the Lady Tamaraws slicing the Fighting Maroons’ eight-point advantage to just three, Bertolano rose high for a kill to put UP at match-point, 14-10, in the final set.
Bertolano was rejected by Lady Tamaraws rookie Chen Tagaod in the next play before eventually sealing the five-setter victory through a combination play.
“The first two sets we played our game. The third and the fourth sets, we kinda stopped. We were playing like we won the game already,” said Fighting Maroons head coach Godfrey Okumu.
“But again, we still have a lot of things to work on as a team. We spike well, we pass well, but we have to work on our defense especially. FEU is not an easy team to beat, they are a strong team and we give them respect,” he added.
Tagaod led the way for the 0-2 Lady Tamaraws with 18 points. Jean Asis added 15 points on 10 attacks, four blocks, and an ace while Lycha Ebon had 10 markers.
Aside from the Fighting Maroons, also notching their second victory were University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses, De La Salle University Lady Spikers and National University Lady Bulldogs./PN
