MANILA – University of Sto. Tomas Golden Tigresses bucked an error-filled game to beat t he University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, 25-20, 18-25, 26-24, 25-23, in the UAAP Season 84 women’s volleyball on Saturday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Ejiya Laure spearheaded the offense with 25 points to go along with 20 excellent receptions for the Golden Tigresses, which improved to 7-2 after tallying its fourth straight win.
Ysa Jimenez chimed in 10 points, Janel Delerio grabbed 23 excellent receptions while Mafe Galanza had 16 excellent sets for the Golden Tigresses.
The Golden Tigresses were already on their way to secure the game but Laure committed three consecutive attack errors which put the Fighting Maroons to within one, 24-23, in the fourth set.
Finally, on her fourth try, Laure finally punched one in to seal the team’s seventh victory in nine games which solidified its hold of the second spot in the standings.
“Ang dami naming butas,” said UST head coach Emilio Reyes. “’Yung mga unforced errors nandoon ulit, ‘yung pinakamadaling bola doon kami mostly namamatayan.”
Jewel Encarnacion finished with 18 points and 13 excellent receptions, Negrense Alyssa Bertolano and Antiqueña Irah Jaboneta added 15 and 13, respectively, as UP dropped to 4-5.
Meanwhile, National University Lady Bulldogs recovered from a set down to defeat Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles, 18-25, 25-20, 25-19, 25-18.
Mhicaela Belen tallied triple-double of 19 points, 21 excellent receptions, and 10 excellent digs, Ilongga Princess Anne Robles and Alyssa Solomon added 16 and 14 points for NU.
Guimarasnon Camilla Lamina had 22 excellent sets laced with four points while Jennifer Nierva logged 18 excellent digs and 12 excellent receptions as the Lady Bulldogs moved on the verge of the Final Four with its 9-0 win-loss slate.
In other results, Adamson University Lady Falcons prevailed over University of the East Lady Warriors, 25-16, 25-14, 25-9, while De La Salle University Lady Spikers turned back Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws, 25-23, 25-13, 25-14./PN
