MANILA, Philippines — Second-generation stars gave University of Santo Tomas a huge lift in its 25-19, 25-22, 25-19 win over Ateneo Sunday in the 11th Shakey’s V-League First Conference quarterfinals.
Ennajie Laure, daughter of former PBA swingman Eddie, Pam Lastimosa and Ria Meneses, nieces of PBA greats Jojo and Vergel, respectively, carried the scoring cudgels for the Tigresses who moved closer to a semifinals berth.
Laure, UST’s rookie revelation, scored all but one of her 16 points off spikes. Lastimosa, who flew in Sunday midnight from a beach volleyball tilt in Boracay, added 13, while Meneses added 10, half of which coming from blocks.
“We didn’t expect to win over straight sets over them. We just wanted to come out and play,” said head coach Odjie Mamon, whose squad is now at 2-0 in group 1, after the game.
UST’s rock-solid net defense just wouldn’t allow Ateneo to get going all game, chalking up a commanding 12-3 edge on block points.
After shaking off a frustrating second set where they needed to overcome a lead by the Lady Eagles, the Tigresses pulled away in the third and led by as many as 10-1.
“They were getting frustrated in the second set. I told them that they weren’t giving much effort. From there, they performed better and carried it on to the third,” said Mamon.
Jessy De Leon and Carmela Tunay combined for 15 points for the hot Tigresses, who stretched their winning roll to five games.
“They got a boost of morale from the arrival of Tunay and Lastimosa last night. They told me they didn’t want to play incomplete so we can’t have any excuses,” Mamon said.
While another win will seal the Tigresses’ final four entry, the fate of Lady Eagles, meanwhile, are out of their hands after absorbing a second straight loss in the quarters.
Alyssa Valdez and Michelle Morente had 11 points each for the UAAP champions, who were missing three key players in Ella De Jesus, Marge Tejada and Denden Lazaro.
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