MANILA — University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons returned to their winning ways after a 25-23, 26-24 beating of University of the East Lady Red Warriors in the UAAP women’s volleyball on Thursday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Negrense rookie Alyssa Bertolano tallied 14 points to go along with eight excellent digs as the Fighting Maroons snapped its four-game losing skid to improve to 4-4 slate.
Niña Ytang added 13 points on 11 attacks and two aces, Jewel Encarcacion chipped in 10 points, while Ilongga Marianne Sotomil tossed out 16 excellent sets and scored two points for UP.
“It has been a while,” said Fighting Maroons head coach Godfrey Okumu. “The last couple of games yes, we didn’t play well. I hope that from now on we’ll continue fighting for better results.”
The Fighting Maroons built a 10-point advantage late in the third set, 21-11, off a ball drop by Ytang. The Lady Red Warriors rallied to within 16-23 before UP came up with clutch points to seal the win.
Lia Pelaga top-scored with eight points, while Dara Nieva and Rhea Manalo each had five markers as the Lady Red Warriors suffered its eighth consecutive loss in as many outings.
In the first game, University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses fought back from two sets down to beat Adamson University Lady Falcons, 24-26, 20-25, 25-21, 25-23, 15-12.
Ejiya Laure tallied double-double 21 points and 13 excellent receptions, while Camille Victoria and Ysa Jimenez added 16 and 13 markers, respectively, as the Golden Tigresses improved to 6-3 win-loss slate.
Trailing by one in the final set, 11-12, Golden Tigresses’ Kecelyn Galdones blocked Lady Falcons’ Lorene Toring’s quick attempt to knot the scores at 12-all.
Adamson’s Kate Santiago then failed to get the ball over as Laure and Galdones went for the jugular with a block on May Ann Nuique and an ace, respectively, to complete UST’s come-from-behind win.
“Nakakapagod e, we win in a hard way at least ang bottom line is a win is a win regardless of how many sets,” said Golden Tigresses head coach Emilio Reyes./PN
