Tigresses zero in on semis incentive
By Anthony Divinagracia and Ivan de Lara
04 February 2010 08:41 AM
Manila, Philippines - The University of Santo Tomas (UST) Tigresses inched closer to getting the last twice-to-beat advantage in the semifinals as they overwhelmed the National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs, 27-25, 25-12, 25-14, in the 72nd UAAP women’s volleyball tournament at the San Juan Arena on Wednesday.
With team captain Aiza Maizo and ace setter Rhea Dimaculangan arriving late for the game due to their classes, the Tigresses relied on veteran open spiker Angeli Tabaquero, who fired 18 hits, four blocks, and one service ace. Meanwhile, sophomores Judy Ann Caballejo and Maika Ortiz, and rookie sensation Maru Banaticla registered a combined output of 24 markers.
Carrying a 9-2 win-loss record, UST has to win at least one of its two remaining games to clinch the second twice-to-beat incentive, with the De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Spikers already securing the first one by virtue of an unblemished 11-0 slate.
A cause of concern for the Tigresses, however, was the injury of 6’1”-tall rookie Din-Din Santiago. Santiago suffered from a sprained ankle as her right foot landed on the feet of NU’s Mervic Mangui after a heated net play early in the first set.
Meanwhile, the Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles advanced to solo third place as they crushed the lethargic University of the Philippines (UP) Lady Maroons, 25-17, 25-14, 25-21.
Sophomore Angeline Gervacio and veteran Bea Pascual pulverized UP’s defense with 16 and 15 points, respectively. They drew ample support from teammates Fille Cainglet, Gretchen Ho and Kara Acevedo who combined for 20 kills. The win thus earned Ateneo an 8-4 record and broke its tie with idle Adamson University which totes a 7-4 card.
Despite coming off an injury against La Salle last Saturday, Carmela Lopez paced the Lady Maroons with 10 points, albeit for a losing cause.
In men’s play, La Salle and Ateneo boosted their Final Four campaigns as they swept their respective opponents.
The Archers needed only 56 minutes to dispose off the surprisingly lackluster UP Fighting Maroons, 25-23, 25-19, 25-23. La Salle leaned on the offensive strength of Chris Macasaet and Kevin dela Vega, who scattered 14 points apiece. Michael Antonio backstopped them with his 10 kills.
UP went to its blocking to neutralize La Salle’s scoring rampage but to no avail as it drew spirited performances only from Lloyd Belgado, Giancarlo Ramos, and Michael Jordan Arda, who tallied a collective 31-point output.
Meanwhile, Ateneo bounced back from its sorry loss against UST last Saturday, to turn back a luckless University of the East crew, 31-29, 25-22, 25-18. Veterans AJ Pareja and JR Intal bankrolled the Eagles’ offense with their identical 16-point productions. Duane Teves and Julbog Africa teamed up with 16 markers.
With a 7-5 showing, La Salle climbed solo third slot behind the league-leading Tigers and the second-running Far Eastern University Tamaraws. Meanwhile UP and Ateneo got locked at fourth place with identical 6-6 slates.
Unable to win a single game since ace spiker Dominic Estrada left the team, the Warriors dropped to sixth place with a 4-8 record.
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Year of the Tigers
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Queens of the volleyball court
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Lady Archers fall in Game 1
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UST draws first blood
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tug-of-war on the field
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spike it hard
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