Rondina powers UST past Adamson in 3 sets for 2nd win

Undermanned University of Santo Tomas blanked Adamson University, 25-9, 31-29, 25-19, to earn its second win in the UAAP Season 80 women’s volleyball tournament Sunday at Filoil Flying V Centre.

Leaning on Cherry Rondina anew, the Golden Tigresses improved to 2-2 and created a massive four-way logjam at the third spot with the Lady Falcons, Ateneo, and Far Eastern University.

Hit with injuries, UST played without two key players in libero Rica Rivera (leg) and hitter Milena Alessandrini (shoulder).

Alessandrini’s absence meant that UST had to find a replacement for the 11.7 scoring average the Filipino-Italian rookie brings to the table for the Golden Tigresses.

UST’s offensive spark, apart from Rondina, came from Dimdim Pacres, who had 13 points against the Lady Falcons.

Golden Tigresses head coach Kung Fu Reyes said it was, ironically, Adamson head coach Air Padda that gave them the motivation against the Lady Falcons.

“The players wrote the articles where coach Air said that UST won’t win relying on just one person alone,” said Reyes in Filipino. “They had a different response when a different coach made the same observation.”

After UST labored just to get the second set, the Golden Tigresses had a steadier path come the third set.

The Golden Tigresses were in firm control of Adamson in the third set leading 10-3 early on, although this was an error on Lady Falcon Chiara Permentilla’s part, Alina Bicar then had two straight service aces to give UST a 16-9 lead.

Rondina finished the match with a game-high 22 points while Carla Sandoval added nine.

Jema Galanza led Adamson with 10 points.