UST jumps to third spot, grounds Adamson to 10th straight loss

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

University of Santo Tomas secured its fourth win in five outings after trumping of Adamson University, 25-12, 25-18, 22-25, 25-19, in the UAAP Season 79 women’s volleyball tournament Saturday at Filoil Flying V Centre.

The Golden Tigresses improved to 6-4 and temporarily took hold of the third spot while the Lady Falcons plummeted to their 10th straight defeat.

But Adamson made UST sweat in the third set and tried to put on a small rally late in the decisive fourth period scoring four straight points to get as close as 24-19.

Cherry Rondina finished things off for the Tigresses with a powerful kill that bounced off the reception of Bermadette Flora.

Finally! After four straight Adamson points, Rondina finishes it off for UST 25-19 in the 4th. #UAAPSeason79 pic.twitter.com/h6caQbEgy7

— Bong Lozada (@BLozadaINQ) March 18, 2017

UST head coach Kung Fu Reyes, despite the win, said he wants more from his players after the Golden Tigresses allowed Adamson to mount that late rally in the fourth.

“I just want one thing from my players, that if they don’t work hard the other team will beat them,” said Reyes. “We had a great start in the fourth but there were still lapses late in the game, thankfully we had a big lead.”

UST held a commanding 22-11 in the fourth set but Adamson managed to make it close before Rondina’s clutch play.

Rondina finished with 18 points to lead UST while EJ Laure added 14 points and Ria Meneses and Pam Lastimosa had 11 points apiece.

Jema Galanza led the Lady Falcons with 16 points with Joy Dacoron adding 11.