University of the Philippines waylaid a hapless San Sebastian side, pouncing on its sloppy reception and token defense to fashion out a 25-15, 25-13, 25-16 romp in the lone women’s match in the Premier Volleyball League Season 2 Collegiate Conference at the Filoil Flying V Center yesterday.
Isa Molde struggled while playing under the weather but Marian Buitre, rookie Lorielyn Bernardo and outside hitter-turned-libero Mary Bautista stepped up and dominated the Lady Stags all throughout to complete the rout that hiked their record to 2-1.
Buitre blasted in seven attacks, scored two aces and made one block while Bernardo also produced a 10-hit game, including nine attacks, as the Lady Maroons bounced back strong from a four-set setback to the unbeaten UST Tigresses the last time out to stay at fourth.
“We worked on the passing so we had to introduce a different libero to help Rem (Altomea),” said UP coach Godfrey Okamu.
Bautista suited up as a libero and came up with 10 excellent receptions while Molde finished with seven markers.
“I think she (Bautista) held up pretty nicely and she is loud on court so that is what is needed for a libero,” said Okumu.
Playmaker Ayel Estrañero also outplayed the entire SSC side with 23 excellent sets, more than the Lady Stags’ nine. She also made five aces and came through with drop shots to finish with eight markers.
It was SSC’s fourth straight loss, virtually eliminating the Lady Stags from the semis race in the mid-season conference of the league organized by Sports Vision and backed by Mikasa and Asics.
In men’s play, National U survived a tough UP side, carving out a 25-13, 25-20, 23-25, 26-24 victory to join idle UST at the helm at 4-0.
Bryan Bagunas took charge in the fourth set, firing four of the team’s last five points. He ended up with 22 hits, including 18 attack points, for the Bulldogs, who overpowered the Fighting Maroons, 56-38, in attacks.
In other results, FEU outlasted Adamson, 15-25, 25-19, 21-25, 25-23, 17-15, to improve to 2-0 while dealing the Falcons their first setback after four straight wins.
San Beda, meanwhile, subdued winless Arellano U, 25-23, 22-25, 25-23, 25-16, to even its card at 2-2.
