Lady Maroons near Final Four, keep Lady Warriors winless

Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

University of the Philippines assured itself of a playoff for a Final Four berth in the UAAP Season 78 women’s volleyball tournament after it sent University of the East to its 56th straight defeat, 25-23, 25-22, 25-14, Sunday at Philsports Arena.

The Lady Maroons put themselves in a good position to end their semifinals drought after tightening their grip of the third spot with a 7-4 record.

Isa Molde scored all 12 of her points off attacks, while Marian Buitre got eight kills and four blocks to finish with 12 markers.

Diana Carlos and Justine Dorog both had six points in the win for the Lady Maroons, who last made the Final Four in 2003.

Coming off a four-set defeat to La Salle last Wednesday, UP tried to rectify their errors, but lost control early allowing UE to stay in step for the first two sets.

“Pangit pa rin (We still played ugly),” said coach Jerry Yee, obviously disappointed with the start his wards had in the match. “We’re tying to practice some things pero parang nahihirapan pa ang mga bata (but it seems that the girls are having a hard time).”

Zooming in on the Lady Maroons’ service and reception, Yee admitted the team used the game as a testing ground for tougher competition that will come in the playoffs

“We were looking for a few things of improvement pero di namin na-deliver (but we failed to deliver). Patience talaga ang kailangan (We really need to have patience),” he said.

UP also took advantage of the 31 errors the Lady Warriors committed in the 70-minute match.

Shaya Adorador carried UE with 13 points, nine of which came from kills, that included two blocks, and a couple of service aces.

The Lady Warriors remain at the cellar at 0-11 and have been winless since Season 74.