UST extends win streak after nipping upset-seeking TIP

MANILA, Philippines – A meltdown, some blood and a recovery marked University of Santo Tomas’ victory 25-16, 25-19, 24-26, 25-14 triumph over Technological Institute of the Philippines in the Shakey’s V-League 12 Collegiate Conference on Sunday, August 2 at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

Rookie EJ Laure led the way with 18 points earned from 16 kills and two blocks while team captain Pam Lastimosa registered 14 points including 5 service aces. Chloe Cortez was a spark off the bench, scoring key points down the stretch of the third and taking over early in the fourth to finish with 10 points on 8 attacks and two blocks.

The Tigresses marched to an easy two-nil edge and were on pace for a sweep, but they fell behind by 4 midway in the third as UST gradually spiraled into disarray.

With the Lady Engineers at advantage, 26-25, misfortune struck as veteran spiker Mela Tunay collided hard with Lastimosa trying to save the ball, causing Tunay to bleed profusely from the nose and be taken out of the match.

The remaining Tigresses on the floor wore blank, worried faces and were visibly bothered by what happened. After play resumed, UST committed an error at the net that extended the match to a fourth set.

“We became relaxed after we won the first set,” Laure explained in Filipino the meltdown and UST’s subsequent motivation. “In the fourth set we said we would bounce back and we will do it for Mela.”

UST, indeed, recovered smoothly in the fourth and final canto, blowing away TIP by 25-14 to hike their record to 3-1 in Group B and secure a slot in the playoffs.

Marivic Meneses posted 9 points as Tunay checked out of the game with 8 markers.

The Lady Engineers had guest player Hezzymei Acuña topscoring with 13 points, but she had little help as TIP slipped to a 1-3 record. – Rappler.com