Tigresses top blocker blocks all ‘loose talks’

MANILA, Philippines - Chided for being a non-factor in their previous losing game, University of Santo Tomas middle blocker Ria Meneses immediately bounced back strong and helped push the Tigresses closer to a UAAP Season 79 Final Four stint.

After a solitary point in last Wednesday’s setback to La Salle, Meneses put up a dominating performance in front of the net and matched NU star Jaja Santiago’s season-high of eight blocks as the Tigresses dismantled the University of the Philippines Lady Maroons, 25-20, 25-21, 25-16, en route to third spot and an 8-5 card.

“Coach (Kungfu Reyes) as well as my parents pushed me hard after the La Salle game,” Meneses said. “They’re really trying to lift me up, telling me not to lose heart, that my natural game will come back again.

Prior to the UP game, Reyes said he challenged Meneses to show the stuff that made her win Best Blocker two seasons ago.

“It’s very uncharacteristic for a Best Blocker not to make a single block,” Reyes shared telling his ward.

And Meneses responded big time. She accounted for all but two of UST’s blocks and doubled the tally of the entire UP team (four).

“I took it as a challenge, as a booster that my coach continues to believe in me,” she said.

Meneses hopes to display the same form when the Tigresses gun for the Final Four seat Saturday against NU.

“If I was able to push myself in the UP game, I can do it again next game against NU,” she said.