Molde powers UP past Adamson; UST triumphs

AIESHALAINE Gannaban (front) sets up the UP offense as Adamson’s Erika Alkuino gets ready to make a stop.
AUGUST DELA CRUZ

ROOKIE Isa Molde sustained a solid start to her UAAP career as University of the Philippines rolled past Adamson University, 26-24, 25-27, 25-20, 25-19 last night to climb to fourth spot in the UAAP Season 78 women’s volleyball tournament at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

Molde finished with a personal-best 23 hits, joining forces with Justine Dorog in the fourth set to finish off the Lady Falcons, whose vaunted floor defense couldn’t cope with the Lady Maroons repeated attacks.

The win snapped a two-game losing slide for the Lady Maroons, who improved to 2-2, tying idle Far Eastern U.

“It was a battle and Adamson always had the advantage defensively, but it was a good thing we were able to survive,” said UP coach Jerry Yee.

Molde stood out with three blocks and two service aces, while adding 11 digs. UP also drew solid games from Kathy Bersola and Nicole Tiamzon who combined for 21 hits, while Dorog shrugged off shoulder pain and finished with eight points.

Earlier, University of Santo Tomas nailed its first win of the season at the expense of University of the East, 25-18, 25-8, 25-23.

What was billed as a tight battle between the two remaining winless teams in the tournament turned out to be a lopsided match as skipper EJ Laure and Cherry Rodina came out strong to help coach Kungfu Reyes claim the first win of his UAAP career.

Reyes, a multititled girls volleyball coach, took over from Odjie Mamon in the off-season.

Shaya Adorador paced the Lady Warriors (0-4) with 10 points.

In men’s play, National University overwhelmed UST, 25-21, 27-25, 25-15, to forge a four-way tie at the top with UP, Ateneo and Adamson. UP subdued La Salle, 25-23 25-21 21-25 27-25, in an earlier game.

The Bulldogs drew a solid outing from Bryan Bagunas who finished with two blocks and two service aces for a 17-point effort. Madz Gampong notched 15 points, including three blocks, and collected three digs for the Bulldogs, who bounced back from a straight-set loss to UP last Saturday.