University of Santo Tomas and Far Eastern University, playing with sense of urgency, remained in joint third after beating separate foes last weekend in the UAAP Season 81 women’s volleyball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Tigresses posted an emphatic 25-20, 25-20, 25-16 win over University of the East, while the Lady Tamaraws downed University of the Philippines 25-21, 19-25, 25-23, 25-22.
Improving their record at 7-4, not only UST and FEU enhanced their respective Final Four bids but also moved closer to defending champion De La Salle, which sits in solo second with a 7-3 slate.
“Puwedeng sumali ang No. 2. Lahat, puwede pang lumaban lahat. We are on the right track,” said coach Kungfu Reyes after the Tigresses completed a season sweep of the Lady Warriors.
“Magse-celebrate muna kami today, pahinga kami bukas and then by Monday, back to the drawing board. So lahat ng natutunan namin dito sa larong ito, dadalhin namin sa mga susunod naming mga laro.”
Even with their fifth loss in 11 contests, the Lady Maroons are still very much in the Final Four mix as the Diliman-based spikers are just one game out of the No. 4 slot.
Eya Laure and Sisi Rondina produced their usual numbers. The UST’s dynamic rookie-veteran duo got a huge boost from Ysa Jimenez and KC Galdones, who combined for 18 points.
“Maganda pa rin ang game kahit paano. Luckily, may panibago kaming player na nag-step up para sa team. That’s the beauty of it para sa 13 women na natitira,” said Reyes.
Laure paced the Tigresses with 14 points, 13 digs and eight receptions, while Rondina chipped in 11 hits and 15 digs.
Both products of UE high school program, Jimenez had three service aces to finish with 10 points while Galdones contributed eight markers.
UST rookie setter Mafe Galanza, with her fast-paced plays, was also solid with 26 excellent sets to go with four points.
The Lady Tamaraws fired 16 service aces, including a huge one from substitute France Ronquillo that gave them a 23-19 cushion late in the fourth frame, that keyed their bounce back win after a disappointing performance against the Lady Spikers.
“Doon kami nag-focus sa service receive sa training. Na-execute kami ng maayos,” said FEU coach George Pascua.
Heather Guino-o had four service aces to finish with a career-high 22 points to go with 22 digs and 12 receptions while Jerrili Malabanan chipped in 17 hits for the Lady Tamaraws.
Tots Carlos scored 22 points, 23 digs and 18 receptions for UP, which fielded in Isa Molde in limited minutes as service specialist.
The Lady Warriors, who drew 11 points, 15 receptions and eight digs from Judith Abil, bowed out of the Final Four contention for the 12th straight season with their ninth loss in 11 contests.
In the men’s division, Ron Medalla came through with 21 points as Ateneo bucked a third set loss to beat UP, 25-16, 25-21, 23-25, 25-22, while Pao Pablico had 23 points, including two blocks, as Adamson University rallied from two sets down to turn back UST, 20-25, 19-25, 25-21, 25-14, 15-9.
The Blue Eagles and the Falcons remained level at 7-4, opening a two-and-a-half game cushion in the race for the last Final Four berth, while the Growling Tigers are now on the ropes with a 4-7 record.