by David Tristan Yumol
It was a productive day for the University of the Philippines (UP) volleyball teams as they piled up wins in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 78 volleyball wars Wednesday at the San Juan Arena.
The Lady Maroons returned in their winning ways by upending the Adamson University Lady Falcons, 26-24, 25-27, 25-21, 25-19.
Rookie sensation Isa Molde stamped her class in the game with 23 points. While team skipper Kathy Bersola somehow found her rhythm already, notching 11 points.
The first two sets were close as both teams showed their promising wares in the court.
It was UP who ruled the first set, 26-24, with star spiker Nicole Tiamzon and Molde taking turns in scoring.
However, Adamson capitalized UP’s errors in the homestretch of the second set to win it, 27-25.
Molde scored the crucial points late in the third canto to give the set victory for the Lady Maroons, 25-21.
While in the fourth set, the Lady Maroons contained Adamson’s lead spiker Jessica Galanza in scoring to finish the game and nail their second win in four outings.
UP head coach Jerry Yee was pleased with this victory of his wards.
“I am satisfied with the composure of my team in this ga0 This game is important if we want to enhance our chances in the Final Four,” Yee said.
Galanza and team captain Mylene Paat were the only bright spots for the San Marcelino-based spikers, scoring 25 and 23 points respectively.
The Lady Maroons evened their win-loss slate to two apiece while the Lady Falcons fell to 1-3 record.
Earlier in the day, the Fighting Maroons stinged another highly-favored opponent by humbling De La Salle University in four sets, 25-23, 25-21, 21-25, 27-25.
Wendel Miguel led the charge for UP with 15 points, 13 of which are through spikes. John Mark Millete and team captain Alfred Valbuena added 13 and 11 points respectively for the Diliman-based spikers.
The men’s team tallied their third straight victory after losing their first game. In their previous game last February 13, the Fighting Maroons did a shocker early at the season by sweeping former titlist National University, 25-19, 25-20, 31-29.
Raymark Woo of De La Salle’s game-high 26 points went for naught as the Taft-based spikers lost their third straight outing after winning their first.
Next games for the State U volleyball teams will be this Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena. In the morning at 8 am, the Fighting Maroons will try to extend their magical run as they face defending champions Ateneo de Manila University. While the Lady Maroons will go head-to-head with Far Eastern University in the afternoon at 4 pm.
