UP brings down San Beda

AFTER a promising stint last conference, University of the Philippines showed it’s out to do better.

UP standout Isa Molde played to form as the Lady Maroons downed San Beda in straight sets, 25-20, 25-17, 25-20, at the start of the Shakey’s V-League Season 13 Collegiate Conference yesterday at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

Molde, the UAAP Rookie of the Year last season, fired 13 attacks in a 15-point performance.

UP coach Jerry Yee, though, thinks the Lady Maroons have more to show.

“So far, we had some sloppy execution that’s why we have to improve,” said Yee. “We’re looking for maturity, and we haven’t reached the level that we wanted.”

San Sebastian also triumphed in straight sets over a gritty Perpetual Help side, 27-25, 25-22, 25-22, in the second match.

Grethcel Soltones, last conference’s Most Valuable Player with Bali Pure, fired all but one of her 20 points on attacks.

Skipper Katherine Bersola, Justine Dorog, Nicole Tiamzon and Diana Carlos teamed up for 30 points for the Lady Maroons, who just fell a rung short of a Final Four stint last conference.

“We’re doing better in practices,” said Yee. “If we’re really mature, we wouldn’t be as complacent.”

Bersola agreed that the Lady Maroons can do much better.

“We’re not as fast, we’re not as energetic as we used to be,” said Bersola. “Maybe we’re adjusting because it’s our first game.”

Coach Nemesio Gavino admitted his Lady Red Spikers had a hard time keeping up with the Lady Maroons.

UP also got off to a winning start in the Spikers’ Turf Season 2 Collegiate Conference.

The Maroons got past a tough Emilio Aguinaldo College, 25-23, 29-27, 19-25, 25-18, behind Gerard Valbuena’s 16-point outing.

Team captain Wendel Miguel (14 points), Mark Millete (12 pointa) and Gian San Pascual (10 points) also finished in double figures for the Maroons.

La Salle grabbed a share of the lead in men’s action after a 25-20, 25-22, 25-23, 25-21 triumph over St. Benilde.

Raymark Woo unleashed 24 points, 22 off kills, as the Green Archers also survived the 27-point outburst of St. Benilde star Johnvic de Guzman.

Mike Frey and Arjay Onia added a combined 29 points for the Archers. With a report from Miguel de Leon