MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – The University of the Philippines (UP) Lady Maroons rallied from a slow start to finish strong with a victory over the University of the East (UE) Lady Warriors in 4 sets, 14-25, 25-22, 25-23, 25-23, on Saturday, April 14, at the Blue Eagle Gym of the Ateneo de Manila University.

The Lady Warriors blew their early 16-12 advantage as back-to-back attacks from Isa Molde tied it at 20-all. After an overreaching error from UP tied it at 23-all again, Tots Carlos’ back-to-back attacks nailed the win for the Lady Maroons.

The Lady Maroons ended their season with a 6-8 record, while the Lady Warriors finished at 2-12 in the UAAP Season 80 Women’s Volleyball tournament.

Molde led the Lady Maroons with 19 points off 14 spikes, 4 aces, and one block.

Graduating player Shaya Adorador topscored with 15 points for UE from 10 spikes and 5 aces.

This is the final game of UE stalwart Shaya Adorador and UP middle blocker Ali Buitre.

The Lady Warriors’ early 13-1 run assured them of the lead in the first set. As UP loomed with errors, the Lady Warriors dominated the set until the end to give them a quick 1-0 lead in the match.

The Lady Maroons attempted to turn the tables with their renewed offense in the second set as they raced to take a 3-point cushion, 14-11. UE captain Roselle Baliton stepped up to cut the deficit, and the Lady Warriors were able to nab their own 3-point lead, 20-17.

UE was 4 points away from taking the set until the Lady Maroons rallied back with 7 unanswered points to reach the set point. The set ended with Me-an Mendrez failing to convert the set.

The Lady Warriors turned back UP midway in the 3rd set with an 8-0 run to lead by 4 points, 21-16. The Lady Maroons raced back with their own run, as an Adorador error tied it at 21-all.

A Carlos ace nabbed a set point, and Buitre closed out the set for a 2-1 advantage.

The Scores:

UP (3) – Molde 19, Carlos 14, Buitre 11, Layug 5, Ramos 3, Estranero 3, Rosier 3, Cailing 1.

UE (1) – Adorador 15, Mendrez 13, Abil 12, Rodriguez 7, Baliton 5, Bendong 1.

– Rappler.com