UP Lady Maroons. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
University of the Philippines started things off on a positive note and grounded Adamson University, 25-11,25-18, 25-11, in its opening game in the UAAP Season 79 women’s volleyball tournament Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Marian Buitre scored the Lady Maroons’ winner with a simple drop ball that landed on the Lady Falcon’s left side of the field.
Despite winning convincingly in straight sets, Lady Maroons head coach Jerry Yee said his team still has much to improve on especially in closing games quicker.
UP was at match point but allowed the Lady Falcons to score two more points before Buitre made the final play.
“We still had lapses and in this case was we relaxed and that can’t happen against veteran teams,” said Yee. “We still have miscues.”
UP practically dominated Adamson in every major scoring category with distinct advantages in spikes, 27-20, blocks, 8-4, and service aces, 15-5.
The Lady Maroons also enjoyed a well-distributed offense with Kathy Bersola and Diana Carlos scoring game-highs of 11 points apiece and Isa Molde finishing with 10.
Team captain Nicol Tiamzon finished with nine points, four coming from the service line.
Bernadette Flora led Adamson with nine points.