MANILA – University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons hardly broke a sweat as it walloped Mapua University Lady Cardinals, 25-19, 25-21, 25-11, in the Shakey’s Super League on Saturday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
Jewel Encarnacion led the way with 13 points, with 11 coming off spikes. The Fighting Maroons will head the quarterfinals round with a win and finishing their Pool A assignments with 4-0 slate.
Bacolodnon Joan Marie Monares also made her presence felt with nine points, while Dannica Celis also had a solid outing of nine markers to be hailed as the MVP of the Match.
After handily winning the opening set, the Fighting Maroons struggled in the second frame and were down 15-19 before Stephanie Bustrillo turned things around with consecutive points.
The Fighting Maroons, however, found its rhythm early in the third frame to open a 20-6 gap behind connections from Encarnacion, Monares and Celis to complete a straight-set romp.
“This win gave us good momentum heading into the second round. We still have a lot of work to do. The second round is a different story so we must prepare for that,” said Fighting Maroons head coach Ceseal Delos Santos.
Therese Manalo got six points while Alyana Ong and Roxie Dela Cruz added five markers each as the Lady Cardinals ended their campaign in the collegiate volleyball league with 1-3 record.
Meanwhile, University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses barged to the quarterfinals round after a 25-17, 25-19, 25-22 domination of the Lyceum of the Philippines Lady Pirates.
Incoming rookie Xyza Rufel Gula was named as the MVP of the Match for the Golden Tigresses after tallying seven points, on six attacks and a service ace, in her two sets appearance.
The Golden Tigresses finished their Pool B assignment with a perfect 4-0 win-loss slate and will head to the quarterfinals along with groupmate Adamson University Lady Falcons (3-1). The Lady Pirates bowed out with a 2-2 record./PN
