EJ Laure leads UST past Coast Guard for 2-0 start

EJ Laure. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

University of Santo Tomas continued to make waves early in the Shakey’s V-League Season 13 Reinforced Conference, clipping Coast Guard in three sets, 25-16, 25-10, 25-23 Monday at Philsports Arena in Pasig.

EJ Laure starred After unleashing 11 of her 12 points off kills, including the game-clinching spike to fend off the pesky Lady Dolphins in a tightly-contested third set.

Pam Lastimosa made her return for UST, finishing with seven markers in the victory, all from attacks, while Carla Sandoval and Ria Meneses both got seven.

The Golden Tigresses remained unscathed at 2-0 while Coast Guard stayed at the cellar at 0-2.

But for UST coach Kungfu Reyes, his concern still remains on his bench players stepping up when he needs them.

“Smooth naman yung first two sets. Bumunot kami ng tao sa labas pero doon nagbago yung tyempo ng laro. Although up by two sets kami, di kami pwede mag-relax,” he said, as UST missed the services of Cherry Rondina for the game.

“Yung chance na binibigay namin sa mga players, minsan hindi nagma-materialize. Yun ang pinipilit naming baguhin. As individual players, dapat nilang samantalahin yung chance kasi nasa kanila na ang opportunity,” continued Reyes. “Hopefully by next game, magawan namin ng solusyon. Yun naman ang strength at weakness ng team. Dapat synchronized yung dalawa.”

Samantha Dawson topped the Lady Dolphins with eight points, while former Tigress Grenlen Malapit wound up with six.