UAAP volleyball: UST ends winless run, downs UE

UST Tigresses. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

University of Santo Tomas put a stamp in the win column, sweeping the still winless University of the East, 25-18, 25-8, 25-23, in the UAAP Season 78 women’s volleyball tournament Wednesday at San Juan Arena.

It was a Lady Warrior who ironically gave the Golden Tigresses the victory when Judith Abil’s shot went erratic, sealing UST’s 1-3 record and UE’s 49th straight loss since Season 74.

Abil also put UST at the 24-18 match point before a five-point swing gave UE a fleeting chance at victory.

Golden Tigresses head coach Kung Fu Reyes rued his team’s near collapse in the third set as something they should fix before heading into their next game against National University on Saturday.

“Yung mga error namin, sariling error, hanggang sa laro yung error namin ang nagdidikta,” Reyes said who won his first coaching victory in the collegiate ranks. “Kami yung pumuputol ng momentum namin so may naitutulong kami sa kalaban.”

University of Santo Tomas committed 16 total errors compared to UE’s 23 but it’s still a number Reyes wants to dwindle.

“Yan ang problema namin na pilit naming nireresolba, team concern yan eh. Iyon yung malaking hump namin na imbes dere-deretso ginagawa namin, nahihinto namin so bumabagal kami dahil dun sa mga unforced errors.”

Golden Tigresses captain EJ Laure finished with 16 points to lead UST while Cherry Rondina added 12.

Shaya Adorador was the lone bright spot for UE as she put up 10 points for the 0-4 Lady Warriors.