UST snaps 5-game losing spell at the expense of nemesis FEU

MANILA, Philippines—In a battle of the UAAP’s winningest volleyball teams, the University of Santo Tomas Tigresses came away as the victors against the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws 3-1, 21-25 27-25, 25-16, 25-23, Saturday evening at the Arena in San Juan.

With a 5-game losing streak hounding their heels, the Tigresses roared after a first set loss to notch their second win of the season and a positive note to end the first round of the eliminations.

UST held an 18-13 lead in the fourth set and looked poised to finally snap their cold spell with ease but the Lady Tams charged back at the Tigresses, taking advantage of the errors that hampered the ladies in black-and-gold to cut the deficit at 19-18.

FEU would then continue to lower their horns against the staggered Tigresses but their queen would not let it be.

Limping after a minor ankle sprain in the first set, Pam Lastimosa powered the Tigresses with a hammer down the line of the FEU field, 23-21, and Jessey de Leon would give UST the matchpoint 24-23, with a quick recovery after Chloe Cortez’s attempt got blocked.

And it would be a block to give UST a 2-5 win-loss slate as their defense turned back Bernadeth Pons.

UST head coach Odjie Mamon praised one of his rookies, Cherry Ann Rondina, for stepping up big time for prized newcomer EJ Laure who was suffering from a toothache.

“She (Rondina) really was the sparkplug because EJ was suffering from toothache,” Mamon said. “They started to be a team now, they have one step.”

FEU has the most women’s volleyball titles with 29 while UST is second with 14.

Mamon, who suffered the worst losing streak of his career as UST head coach, now wants to take revenge on those teams who defeated them when the second round starts.

“I was in panic mode when we were down 1-4, now we need five to six wins. Where will I pull to get it?” Mamon said as his team stays at seventh place in the eight-team standings. “We need to take revenge on those who defeated us.”

Lastimosa led UST with 17 points with Cherry Rondina adding 16.

Carmela Tunay continued her return to form with 15 points while Marivic Meneses pitched in 11 for the Tigresses.

Toni Rose Basas had 13 points for the 3-4 Lady Tams with Pons and Geneveve Casugod adding 12 and 10 respectively.