SISI Rondina had 25 points, 13 digs and 13 excellent receptions while drawing the needed support from her teammates as University of Santo Tomas halted a five-game slide with a 19-25, 30-28, 25-20, 25-16 win over University of the Philippines in the UAAP Season 80 women’s volleyball tournament last Saturday at the Filoil Flying V Centre.
The Tigresses, still much lagging behind in the race for the last Final Four berth, joined their victims at 3-7 as coach Kungfu Reyes is simply pushing his troops to put their pride in their game.
“Individually and as a group, malaking bagay itong panalo na ito kasi masyado na kaming nabugbog eh. This time, pinipilit naming tumayo. Ang importante dito, kung paano kami bumalik. Yung five-game losing streak is very uncharacteristic para sa amin,” said Reyes.
“Ang importante, hindi kami susuko. Ibibigay pa rin namin ang pinaka-best namin. Yung mabuhay ang spirit ng isang Tomasino.”
Later, Ateneo avenged another first round round loss, this time against National University, 25-22, 25-16, 25-17, to force a three-way tie along with its victims and idle Far Eastern University in second place.
The Lady Eagles pounded on the Lady Bulldogs’ weak reception, while solidifying their blocking and attacking to post their sixth win in nine contests.
Maddie Madayag scored 13 points, while Jules Samonte and Jho Maraguinot added 11 and 10 for Ateneo.