Tigresses turn back NC champs

ROOKIE Eya Laure impressed for the second straight game to power University of Santo Tomas past NCAA champion St. Benilde, 25-20, 25-17, 25-27, 25-17, in the Shakey’s V-League Season 13 Collegiate Conference yesterday at Philsports Arena.

Laure, playing alongside UST star and older sister EJ, unloaded a game-high 18 points as the Tigresses seized the Group B lead with a 2-0 record.

EJ, who had boasted that her sister plays even better, scored 10 and Cherry Rondina also fired 15 points for the Tigresses, who recovered from a four-point deficit in the fourth set.

San Sebastian, though, came back from an even bigger deficit as the Lady Stags completed a third-set turnaround to keep Ateneo winless, 25-23, 25-22, 25-23, in the first match.

Grethcel Soltones took over the fiery finish as the Lady Stags rallied from 13 points down to upset the Lady Eagles, who were just two points away from extending the match.

“We just hung in there and played tough,” said Soltones, who finished with 12 kills and four aces in a 16-point performance.

The Lady Stags scored the match’s last 15 points on the way to improving their slate, 2-1, in Group A.

“We played better this time and showed some toughness on the floor,” said Soltones.