Change in mindset helps Milena Alessandrini lead UST over UP

MANILA, Philippines—University of Santo Tomas’ Milena Alessandrini had herself a complete turnaround, not just on the stat sheets but also in her overall character.

Alessandrini put on an inspired performance with 22 points to lead the Golden Tigresses past University of the Philippines, 21-25, 25-22, 25-16, 25-20, in the UAAP Season 81 women’s volleyball tournament.

Season 80’s top rookie, however, was a gloomy camper in the Golden Tigresses’ previous game against Ateneo when they lost in four sets, 25-21, 25-18, 16-25, 25-22.

Alessandrini admitted that she wasn’t happy following the loss but she learned from her mistakes and took on a much different approach against the Lady Maroons.

“I’m happy with this result, and I really struggled in my body motion in the past games,” said Alessandrini Sunday at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

“The team, my teammates, the coaches, they all helped me move on and forget the past.”

Alessandrini scored just 10 points against the Lady Eagles against a defense that stifled her every turn, but against the Lady Maroons the reigning Rookie of the Year had a feast.

“I threw out my emotions, started training, and thinking positive because in the past I always think negatively,” said Alessandrini. “I told myself ‘let’s go Lena, you can do it.’”

With UST holding a 23-19 lead, Alessandrini took it upon herself to ultimately bury UP.

She first put UST at the 24-19 match point with an off-the-block kill that also forced UP to get into a team error, then she finished things off with a block on Diana Carlos to give the Golden Tigresses a 2-1 record.