Lady Maroons shoot down Lady Spikers

MANILA, Philippines — University of the Philippines bared its teeth as it hung tough at endgame to edge four-peat seeking La Salle, 21-25, 25-20, 25-21, 20-25, 15-12, and grab a share of the lead with its opponent in the UAAP season 81 women’s volleyball tournament yesterday.

The Lady Maroons lost grip of an 11-8 lead in the fifth set but remained unruffled, sealing the win on a strong 3-0 windup anchored on Tots Carlos and Justine Dorog.

UP, which absorbed its first setback against University of Santo Tomas the last time out, got back to its winning ways for a 3-1 mark together with DLSU.

 “The win today was good but we won struggling as usual. I hope as we go back today, we would reflect and not sit back thinking that things are over. It’s not over until we finish the championship,” said Lady Maroons coach Godfrey Okumu.

Isa Molde topscored with 20 points for UP, Carlos did it all with 19 points, 18 excellent receptions and 17 digs, Maristela Layug had 11 points while Dorog added eight, including the winning push that found a gaping hole on the DLSU floor.

Rookie Jolina dela Cruz paced the Lady Spikers with 19 points, Aduke Ogunsanya came through with 13 while May Luna and Des Cheng chipped in 12 apiece.

Far Eastern U put up a strong defensive wall to thwart University of Santo Tomas, 19-25, 25-20, 25-19, 27-25, in the first game.

‘The Lady Tamaraws produced 16 blocks, the last against Eya Laure, as they scored their fourth match point, 26-25, before Laure netted her attack to hand the win to FEU.

The Lady Tamaraws thus returned to the win column after back-to-back losses for a 2-2 card.