UP’s Kathy Bersola challenges the defense of NU’s Jaja Santiago during their game in the second round in the UAAP Season 79 women’s volleyball tournament. Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
When University of the Philippines veteran Kathy Bersola had the towering Jaja Santiago in front of her she needed a strong support system behind her.
She found that in the five people she shared the court with.
Bersola had 14 points against Santiago’s 18 but had a slim 8-7 advantage in blocks against the most imposing figure in the UAAP Season 79 women’s volleyball tournament.
“I saw my teammates and they were playing with such joy and I got confident because I saw that my girls were also confident,” said Bersola, who was the league’s Best Blocker in Season 76.
Bersola’s efforts helped UP get to a 7-5 record and also improved its points to 22 edging National University, which has the same slate, for fourth place in the standings.
UP’s defensive anchor said their four-set win over the Lady Bulldogs, 25-14, 25-27, 25-21, 25-12, was vital in their Final Four bid.
“That was huge because we need the wins,” said Bersola. “This is definitely a confidence-booster and there were games when we struggled. We really performed this game and this was a big help for my teammates.”