UP scores stunner over UST, ends four-game skid

University of the Philippines snapped its miserable four-game losing streak and thwarted University of Santo Tomas, 31-33, 25-23, 25-16, 25-12, in the UAAP Season 80 women’s volleyball tournament Wednesday at Filoil Flying V Centre.

The Lady Maroons improved to 2-4, the same record as the Golden Tigresses’ who have yet to win back-to-back games this season.

Although UP lost the first set, 33-31, it was then that the Lady Maroons showed the grit that allowed them to overcome the Golden Tigresses when they came fighting back from a 19-10 deficit to push the period to several extensions.

The Lady Maroons showed their might in the fourth set with a 19-8 run that Isa Molde finished with an off-the-block kill.

“Our opponents was a very good team, they were very aggressive and we welcomed that,” said UP head coach Godfrey Okumu.

“We knew playing against an aggressive team is not easy, but if we keep our heads in the game, we can win.”

UP relished the scoring powers of its two best hitters as Diana Carlos unloaded a season-high 32 points while Molde added 24.

Cherry Rondina had 24 points to lead the Golden Tigresses while Dimdim Pacres added 10.

There wasn’t a big disparity in the attacking departments for both teams as UP had 55-50 and 7-4 advantages in kills and aces, respectively, but it was in defense where the Lady Maroon had the biggest edge with 14-3 lead in blocks.