By Ricky
Manliguis
QUEZON CITY—University
of Santo Tomas bucked a sluggish start and rallied to fashion out a 25-21,
25-15, 25-23 win over University of the East in the final game of Saturday’s
UAAP LXXIX women’s volleyball action at the Big Dome.
Bench scoring proved
the key for the España-based team as it battled back from a deep hole in the
first set for the team’s fourth straight win and tie National University at
third spot with a 5-3 record.
With the starters playing
tentatively and facing a 6-12 deficit early on, Coach Kung-fu Reyes tweaked the
line-up, which responded with an 11-3 run to grab the lead, 17-15.
And with Pam Lastimosa,
EJ Laure, and Cherry Rondina leading the charge, it was a UST show in the
second before putting away a stubborn UE offensive in the third on a Laure
down-the-line hit for the victory.
Lastimosa and Christine
Francisco came off the bench in the last two sets to each tally 10 points for
the Tigresses, while Laure and Rondina chipped in with a combined 11-point
output.
UE, which now sport a
1-7 record, were backstopped by Shaya Adorador’s 13 markers. Judith Abil and
Jasmie Alcayde contributed six each.