UP Maroon lady spikers celebrate after beating Laoag Power Smashers.
University of the Philippines broke out of its funk, outlasting Laoag, 25-20, 27-25, 11-25, 25-20 on Monday in the Shakey’s V-League Season 13 Reinforced Conference at Philsports Arena in Pasig.
Giving her girls a chance to strut their stuff, Lady Maroons coach Jerry Yee exhausted her rotation and fielded 11 players for the game.
“We mentioned we would like to play rest of lineup talaga. Obvious naman na di pa pino yung setter, di pa maganda ang connection ng players with the new setters,” said Yee.
Nicole Tiamzon topped UP with 15 points, 13 coming from spikes, while Marian Buitre got 13 markers, powered by eight hits and four blocks.
Diana Carlos also had 10 points, while Kathy Bersola and Isa Molde both got nine.
Carlos, Molde, and libero Arielle Estranero were all coming from beach volleyball duties, while Tiamzon (ankle) and Mae Basarte (elbow) are both still recuperating from injuries.
The Lady Maroons showed their might, fighting back from a 13-17 deficit in the second set before escaping with a 27-25 victory to gain the two set edge.
Though UP succumbed in the third, it made sure it held off Laoag in the end game behind Tiamzon.
The Lady Maroons improved their record to 2-3, while the Power Smashers stayed on third with a 2-2 slate.
Grethcel Soltones fired 17 of her 18 points off spikes for Laoag, while Aiko Urdas added 12.