V-League: Pride drives Tigresses to take third place

MANILA, Philippines — For University of Santo Tomas, there is pride in winning third place.

UST inched closer to clinching the third place honors after defeating Adamson, 24-26, 25-17, 25-20, 25-17, Sunday in the 10th Shakey’s V-League First Conference at the Mall of Asia Arena.

“This is important for us because we have this philosophy that if you end up in second place, you lose,” said head coach Odjie Mamon. “But if you finish third, you’re a winner because you defeated someone to get to that spot.

The Tigresses could already go home with the bronze medal if Ateneo ends the finals series versus National University, which is being played at posting time.

But if NU forges a do-or-die game three in the finals, the Tigresses and the Lady Falcons will play another game to dispute third place.

UST shrugged off a tight 24-26 first set loss and stayed a step quicker over Adamson throughout, learning from its frustrating game one loss last Thursday.

“Sayang yung pagkatalo namin nung game one,” said Mamon. “Bistuhan kami n’yang Adamson. Game one was our seventh na fifth-setter against each other, and now it’s still close. We just prepared better.”

Guest player and Tigresses alumna Aiza Maizo churned out a team-best 19 points while Pamela Lastimosa added 17 markers, including four blocks.

Only Pau Soriano had her usual numbers for the Lady Falcons with a team-high 16 points, while guest Angela Benting and Shiela Pineda only had 10 and 7, respectively.