MANILA – University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses kicked off the UAAP Season 84 women’s volleyball with a 25-23, 25-20, 25-21 sweep of Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws on Thursday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
Ejiya Laure spearheaded the Golden Tigresses with 14 points, including 13 attacks, to go with nine excellent digs. Camille Victoria converted 11 attacks for 12 points.
The Golden Tigresses started strong in the first set with early conversions from Laure and Victoria but the Lady Tamaraws clawed its way back at 23-24 but UST clinched the set win on an FEU error.
The Golden Tigresses then went on a hot 8-0 start. However, the Lady Tamaraws were quick to respond for a 15-all count. Laure and Kecelyn Galdones came up with much-needed hits as UST took a 2-0 set edge.
In the third set, UST opened up a 17-7 lead capped by back-to-back aces by Magi Mangulabnan. FEU rallied to within 18-22 before Laure and Ysa Jimenez punched in the finishing blows for UST.
“Medyo shaky ‘yung performance namin though nanalo naman. Pero ‘yun nga, masyadong marami ‘yung unforced errors namin na kailangan namin i-correct pero luckily nanalo nga kami ng straight sets,” said UST head coach Emilio Reyes.
The dampener for UST’s triumph, however, was the exit of second year middle blocker Imee Hernandez in the first set after hurting her right ankle. She managed just four points in the win.
“Bad landing lang siya kasi mag isa siya. Hopefully grade one lang ‘yung sprain and makabalik siya hopefully by next week kasi ‘yung Sabado medyo suntok sa buwan na,” Reyes said.
Lycha Ebon top-scored for the Lady Tamaraws (0-1) with nine points, while Negrense rookie Nikka Medina and Chenie Tagaod added eight and seven points, respectively.
National University Lady Bulldogs joined Golden Tigresses on top of the standings with 1-0 card following a 25-15, 25-23, 25-18 domination of Adamson University Lady Falcons./PN
