UP’s Bersola gains confidence from teammates in duel with Santiago

UP’s Kathy Bersola challenges the defense of NU’s Jaja Santiago during their game in the second round in the UAAP Season 79 women’s volleyball tournament. Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

When University of the Philippines veteran Kathy Bersola had the towering Jaja Santiago in front of her she needed a strong support system behind her.

She found that in the five people she shared the court with.

Bersola had 14 points against Santiago’s 18 but had a slim 8-7 advantage in blocks against the most imposing figure in the UAAP Season 79 women’s volleyball tournament.

“I saw my teammates and they were playing with such joy and I got confident because I saw that my girls were also confident,” said Bersola, who was the league’s Best Blocker in Season 76.

Bersola’s efforts helped UP get to a 7-5 record and also improved its points to 22 edging National University, which has the same slate, for fourth place in the standings.

UP’s defensive anchor said their four-set win over the Lady Bulldogs, 25-14, 25-27, 25-21, 25-12, was vital in their Final Four bid.

“That was huge because we need the wins,” said Bersola. “This is definitely a confidence-booster and there were games when we struggled. We really performed this game and this was a big help for my teammates.”