Carmela Tunay delivers final hit to lift UST past Adamson in 5 sets

MANILA, Philippines—Carmela Tunay scored the final three points and University of Santo Tomas rallied back to extinguish Adamson—25-18, 22-25, 25-21, 18-25, 15-13—Wednesday in the 75th UAAP women’s volleyball tournament.

The veteran Tigresses, though, led the charge that turned a 6-9 deficit in the decisive fifth set to a 12-12 deadlock—and from where UST took off to get the victory at the Arena in San Juan city.

Though Tunay did not start in the fifth, she punctuated the match with a game-winning attack for UST that caught Adamson off guard.

Tunay had 11 points while Pam Lastimosa, Judy Ann Caballejo and Maika Ortiz each chipped in 15 hits.

It was the third straight victory for the Tigresses, and just what they needed to keep the third place in a tight race toward the end of the first round.

“This was a must win. We need to stock on the wins,” said a relieved head coach Ogie Mamon after the game.

Seasoned players Judy Caballejo and Maika Ortiz sparked the telling 5-1 run midway the final set, which doused the personal run of a waxing hot Sheila Pineda.

Mamon, though, recognizes her players’ tendency to shy away from the ball, which allowed the Lady Falcons to gain steam this game.

“They have this mentality that they don’t want to commit mistakes—but in the end, they commit more errors,” said Mamon. “We have to practice that.”

Adamson dropped another fifth setter since last Sunday against Ateneo, but Pau Soriano and Pineda continued to be a force for the Lady Falcons.

Pineda, who had 16 points behind Soriano’s 25, attacked UST down the line to rack up four straight points and push Adamson’s lead to 8-4 in the final set.

The Lady Falcons were able to pull within 13-15 on a cross-court hit by Marleen Cortel, who also finished the fourth set, but that was their final attack.

Adamson dropped to fourth, tied with National University with a 3-3 record.