By Dugout Philippines
SAN JUAN, MM--Rookie Isa Molde and Justine Dorog delivered the killer blows late in the fourth set as University of the Philippines downed Adamson University, 26-24, 25-27, 25-20, 25-19, to grab a share of fourth place in the UAAP Season 78 women's volleyball tournament on Wednesday night at the Filoil Flying V Arena.
The Lady Maroons halted a two-game skid while extending the Lady Falcons losing run to three games, as they figured out to break their opponent's bread and butter - floor defense.
"Napalaban kami. Adamson yun eh, sa defense pa lang lamang na. Mabuti at nakalusot," said a relieved UP coach Jerry Yee after his troops moved in a tie with idle Far Eastern University at 2-2.
Molde came through with a personal season-high 23 hits, including three blocks and two service aces, and collected 11 digs while Kathy Bersola and Nicole Tiamzon added 11 and 10 points, respectively, for the Lady Maroons.
Dorog, bucking shoulder pain, had eight points for the Diliman-based spikers.
Kungfu Reyes, meanwhile, finally nailed his first collegiate win as University of Santo Tomas bested University of the East, 25-18, 25-8, 25-23, in a duel of winless teams.
Skipper EJ Laure finished with 16 hits, including three service aces, while Cherry Rondina also had three service aces and tallied two blocks for the Tigresses, who weathered a late Lady Warriors rally in the third frame to arrest a three-game slide and tie the Lady Falcons in sixth place.
Reyes, a multi-titled girls volleyball coach who took over from Odjie Mamon in the off-season, finally got a sigh of relief of winning his first college game on the fourth try.
"Sa high school kasi, puwede mong isubo lahat kung anong gagawin. Hindi ka manalo doon, pero kapag nag-iimprove ang team mo, mao-overwhelm ka hanggang sa matuto," said Reyes.
"Sa UAAP, sa collegiate, kailangang maging competitive. Hindi lang pinag-uusapan dito ang improvement kundi pati as resulta ng laro mo," he added.
Shaya Adorador fired 10 points for the Lady Warriors, who stumbled to their fourth straight defeat.
Earlier, National University swept UST, 25-21, 27-25, 25-15, to join UP, a 25-23 25-21 21-25 27-25 winner over La Salle, defending champion Ateneo and Adamson for the men's lead at 3-1.
Bryan Bagunas had two blocks and two service aces for a 17-point effort while Madz Gampong added 15 points, including three blocks, and collected three digs for the Bulldogs, who rebounded mightily from a straight sets loss to the Fighting Maroons last Saturday.
"Sana magtuloy-tuloy lang. Yung every time na pumupunta tayo sa game na lacing natututo. Hindi tayo tumitigil kung ano and meron lang tayo," said NU coach Dante Alinsunurin.
"Halos lahat ng teams, dikit-dikit na. Competitive lahat ngayon unlike noon na alam no na kung sino ang mananalo."
Wendel Miguel and Mac Millete combined for 28 hits for UP, which overcame a third set loss and a tightly a contested fourth frame to prevail.
Follow the site on Twitter: @DugoutPH
.jpg)
