by Denver del Rosario
Host school University of the Philippines dominated the University of the East, 25-20, 25-13, 25-21, in the season-opener of the UAAP season 78 women’s volleyball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Arena.
Having a slow start in the first set, the Lady Maroons eventually found their rhythm going in the succeeding sets for a quick win.
Justine Dorog, Diana Carlos and Nicole Tiamzon spearheaded the onslaught for the host school, all having nine points.
Shaya Adorador, meanwhile, topscored UE with seven points. Judith Abil and Juliet Catindig contributed five markers.
Despite the win, skipper Kathy Bersola was not satisfied with their performance.
“It’s a so-so game,” Bersola said. “Nakita naman natin na ang dami naming errors, siguro overexcited lang kami (We’ve had so many errors. Maybe we were just so excited).”
Tiamzon and Carlos gave back-to-back attacks for the Diliman-based squad as they took the driver seat in the first set, 16-13, enough to keep the Lady Warriors at bay for good. Abil then committed a service error to zeal the set for the host school, 25-20.
It was a one-sided second set as UP led as much as 11 points, eventually taking the set off a net violation from UE, 25-13.
The Lady Maroons continued its aggressiveness in the third set as they lead, 8-3, behind Marian Buitre and Carlos’ spikes.
The Lady Warriors refused to give up and inched back tying the game at 15, courtesy of back-to-back kills from Juliet Catindig.
The Lady Maroons quickly responded with hits from Buitre and Bersola which gave them match point, 24-19.
Just like the previous sets, an error from the Lady Warriors sealed the deal for the host school, 25-21.
UP will next face last year’s runner-up De La Salle University on Saturday at the Filoil Arena.
