Showdown of streaks

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Combined, these two teams have now won 10 straight games in the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament after hammering out dominating victories over their respective foes Saturday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

In a week’s time, though, one of those runs will hit a brick wall.

Ateneo destroyed University of the Philippines, 25-15, 25-14, 25-15, to remain on top of the standings after picking up its sixth straight victory.

Jia Morado engineered this latest conquest with 38 excellent sets in the match, helping the Lady Eagles send the Lady Maroons to their fourth straight defeat.

But they are not the only team on a roll right now.

University of Santo Tomas, benefiting from its second stringers’ strong response to their coach’s challenge, stretched its own streak to four with a clinical 25-21, 25-15, 25-23 triumph over University of the East.

And coach Kungfu Reyes has his sights set on an extended run.

“Hopefully we win five straight,” said Reyes.

UST faces Ateneo next and the last thing the Lady Eagles want is to get overly high on their own string of wins. Ateneo assistant coach Sherwin Meneses said the team’s confidence would receive some tempering from head coach Tai Bundit.

“The kids’ confidence is really high right now but I always say that coach Tai will put them through a regimen as if we’re not at 7-1,” said Meneses. “Actually the kids don’t think about the standings when they play.”

The Tigresses have every reason to take a moment to admire their current record. The team started out at 1-3 before going on a run anchored on their depth.

And UST went deeper Saturday as Reyes challenged his players: The first six would play in the opening set, while the second six takes the court in the second.

“But if UE can’t score more than 16 points,” said Reyes. “The second stringers will continue playing.”

The Tigresses’ second unit rose to the challenge.

“I can pit my second stringers against any team’s second unit,” said Reyes, referring to Carla Sandoval, Alex Cabanos, Tin Francisco, Shannen Palec, Caitlyn Viray and Pam Lastimosa.

Lastimosa, the former team captain, and Francisco topscored with 10 points each for UST. But Reyes said Lastimosa, returning after yearlong hiatus due to an ACL injury, is nowhere near her full potential.

“She still has a lot to offer and that’s what we are looking for,” said Reyes. —WITH A REPORT FROM BONG LOZADA