By Emy Manipol
SAN JUAN, MM--Both the University of the Philippines Lady Fighting Maroons and University of the East Lady Warriors come into Season 78 of the UAAP Women’s Volleyball Tourney loaded with rookies.
The ladies from Diliman, however, overpowered UE to bring home their first win of the season in three sets, 25-20, 25-13, 25-21.
UE showed great offense and defense during the opening set as its managed to keep in step with UP’s spikers.
UP had a blazing start, building an early four-point lead 7-3 only to be chased by UE courtesy of a 4-0 run .
Nicole Tiamzon was quick to give the Fighting Maroons back the lead care of a down the line put-away. UP headed to the first technical ahead 8-7.
UE kept it close, but Diana Carlos gave UP a three-point lead heading towards the second technical timeout.
UE lost its momentum and allowed UP to build a 20-15 lead which prompted Head Coach Francis Vicente to push the panic button after a Kathy Bersola middle hit.
UE was not able to overhaul the five-point separation, handing UP over the first set.
UE’s floor defense was no match to UP’s organized offense during the second set which made the latter more effective, the second set was easily won by UP 25-13.
Coach Vincente pleaded to his team to turn their game around for the UE squad to be able to salvage their opening game.
UE tried to rally back behind the late game heroics of Juliet Catindig.
But Justine Dorog of the Lady Maroons added fire power to UP’s offense that made UE’s defending woes even bigger. UP barged into the win column after an anticlimactic service error from UE.
UP’s well-balanced offense highlighted by Carlos and Nicole Tiamzon, who both had nine points, was anchored by the brilliant ball distribution of sophomore playmaker Jewel Lai.
Despite the loss, the Lady Warriors displayed vast improvement in terms of plays and setting despite the exit of their main setter Abby Ponon.
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