Tigresses pounce on Lady Maroons

MANILA, Philippines — University of Santo Tomas faced tougher challenge but still pulled through to repulse University of the Philippines, 22-25, 25-20, 25-18, 26-24, and stay on top with a fourth straight win in the Premier Volleyball League Season 2 Collegiate Conference at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan.

After handily beating their first three opponents in straight sets, the Tigresses needed more time to dispose of the Lady Maroons as they yielded the first frame but re-asserted their might in the last three to stay unscathed.

Rookie Eya Laure provided the energy and power, finishing with 12 hits, including the match-clinching kill, five aces and a block for 18 markers with six excellent receptions to boot, skipper Tin Francisco connected with quick hits in her 16-point output while Carla Sandoval drilled in five aces in her 12-point total for UST.

“I noticed that I wasn’t able to contribute much to the team so in the third set, something happened that heightened my adrenaline where I told myself that even though I am a rookie, I am no pushover,” said Laure, who drew loud cheers from the big Sunday crowd during the match.

Adamson U fell to early holes in the third and fourth sets but used a strong start and a stronger finish in the decider to thwart Far Eastern U, 30-28, 27-25, 21-25, 19-25, 15-13, and seize solo second with a 3-0 card.

Eli Soyud led the Lady Falcons with 24 points on 19 spikes, three blocks and two aces while Lea Perez, Joy Dacoron and Bernadette Flora punched in 17, 12 and 11 points, respectively.