UP Lady Maroons. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
UNIVERSITY of the Philippines knows it faces an arduous task in the final stretch of eliminations. But at least the Lady Maroons got one down to stay in semifinal contention.
Still erratic on occasions, the Lady Maroons turned back Team Iriga in straight sets, 25-17, 25-17, 25-19, to improve their record to 2-3 in the Shakey’s V-League Season 13 Open Conference Monday at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.
Rookie Diana Carlos fired 10 kills in a 16-point performance to power the Lady Maroons to winning the first of three must-win assignments to advance to the Final Four.
“Coach (Jerry Yee) said we need to raise the level of our confidence,” said Carlos.
That’s what the Lady Maroons seemed to lack again after a poor start in the second frame followed a solid first-set run.
But this time, the Lady Maroons managed to recover from a 0-5 deficit behind Carlos and Kathy Bersola to take the second frame, 25-17.
In the nightcap, National University overwhelmed winless Team Baguio, 25-10, 25-19, 25-11, to likewise stay in the hunt with a 3-3 record.
Jaja Santiago unloaded 18 points to lift the Lady Bulldogs, who tied idle Team Laoag at the fourth spot.
In men’s action, Cignal survived a tough challenge from Instituto Estetico Manila, 25-13, 34-36, 25-15, 17-25, 19-17, to stay as the only unbeaten squad with a 4-0 record in the Spikers’ Turf Season 2 Open Conference.
Ysay Marasigan pumped in 16 points and Edmar Bonono chipped in 11 as the HD Spikers dealt the Volley Masters their first loss in four outings.
Bersola finished with nine points for the Lady Maroons, who recovered from last week’s heartbreak where they blew a 2-1 set lead against league star Alyssa Valdez’s Bali Pure.
The eliminated Lady Oragons kept it tight halfway into the third set, 12-12, before the Lady Maroons closed out strong on a 13-5 tear.
Pocari Sweat (5-0) already clinched a Final Four berth, while Bali Pure (4-1) and Philippine Air Force (4-1) earned at least a playoff.