V-League: UST stops St. Benilde in 5 sets, improves to 2-1

UST Growling Tigresses. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

University of Santo Tomas found the poise and the groove in the final set as it clamped down on College of St. Benilde, 25-12, 17-25, 25-21, 26-28, 15-7, Sunday in the group stages of the Shakey’s V-League.

Pam Lastimosa basically lifted the Tigresses at the end of the match scoring three straight points, including two service aces, to cap UST’s 8-2 run for a 14-6 match point.

Jessey De Leon then found the right spot down the middle of the Lady Blazers’ court to give UST a 2-1 win-loss record in Group B.

Tigresses head coach Kung Fu Reyes said his players were not rattled even in the end game, despite losing a 2-1 set lead, but everything came down to judgment and execution.

“They were not rattled, it was just on their judgment and execution which affected the game,” Reyes said. “It was everybody’s game, the players enjoyed the match.”

Reyes added that Lastimosa’s play was vital in the end as his captain’s heroics swung the momentum to his team.

“Early in the game, Pam was not getting her momentum, then after her aces, she found the groove and composure.”

As the Lady Blazers fought off UST’s late run, Jeanette Panaga suffered an injury on her right leg as they trailed 6-5 that made her unavailable for the remainder of the set.

UST and CSB fought tooth-and-nail in the fourth set, exchanging blows up until the 27-26 mark when Melanie Torres barely struck the ball in and Mela Tunay hitting it too wide to give the Lady Blazers the penultimate set, 28-26.

Tunay led the Tigresses in scoring with 15 points while De Leon had 14. Lastimosa, EJ Laure, and Marivic Meneses finished with 12 points apiece.

Jannine Navarro led the 2-1 Lady Blazers with 21 points while Panaga had 11. CFC