MANILA – University of the Philippines Lady Maroons dug deep before escaping with a 25-12, 22-25, 23-25, 25-19, 15-12 win over University of the East Lady Warriors in the UAAP Season 81 women’s volleyball on Saturday at San Juan Arena.
Bacolodnon Ma. Arielle Estranero was hailed as the player of the match after finishing with 43 markers for the Lady Maroons, which banked on Diana Carlos, Isa Molde and Justine Dorog on the offensive end.
Trailing 2-1 sets after three sets, the Lady Maroons surged to a 10-1 start in the fourth frame but the Lady Warriors rallied to within 13-15. Carlos, Molde and Dorog then took turns on offense to build a 23-16 lead and force a fifth set.
Both teams went toe-to-toe early in the fifth set before the Lady Maroons surged to a 10-7 lead on back-to-back hits from Dorog and Jessma Ramos. Lady Warriors responded with a Judith Abil hit and Carlos error for a 9-11 score.
The Lady Maroons moved to within match point at 14-11 after two straight hits from Carlos and Dorog. The Lady Warriors saved a match point on Abil’s hit but a swipe from Ramos ended the match for Lady Maroons.
Meanwhile, Far Eastern University Tamaraws and UE Red Warriors pulled off contrasting upset victories against National University Bulldogs and UP Fighting Maroons, respectively, at the start of the men’s volleyball action.
Behind Richard Solis, Mark Calado, Jude Garcia and Ilonggo Peter Quiel, the Tamaraws cruised to a 25-12, 25-18, 25-17 straight set win over defending champions Bulldogs.
The Red Warriors, meanwhile, scored a 20-25, 25-10, 25-22, 25-21, victory over University of the Philippines. Clifford Inoferio showed the way for the Red Warriors with 14 points, on 12 attacks./PN
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