UST drowns UP, hands Fighting Maroons their third straight defeat in UAAP Women’s Volleyball

University of the Philippines absorbed its third straight loss in the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Volleyball Tournament, after losing to the UST Golden Tigresses in four sets, 11-25, 23-25, 25-23, 12-25 yesterday at the Mall Of Asia Arena in Pasay. 

This win marked UST’s fourth straight of the season after dropping their opening match against FEU.

UST made quick work against UP in the first set, taking advantage of the Fighting Maroons’ misreceptions from their strong serves.  

The Diliman-based squad had a better performance in the second set, and even led during the first technical timeout.  Rookie spiker Kianne Olango led the team in scoring for this set, but an unfortunate setting error gave UST the set win.

UP recovered in the third set, winning with a slim 2-point margin.  They led by as much as 8 points during this set, but the gutsy Golden Tigresses made a run towards the end.  Momentum once again shifted to UP after an emphatic kill block by one-and-done foreign student athlete Kassy Doering, which sent UP to match point. Senior hitter Irah Jaboneta’s down-the-line hit won the set for UP.  

However, things went awry in the fourth set, as the Golden Tigresses had another dominating set win, anchored on 13 attacks, 4 blocks, and 3 aces.

Regina Jurado was named player of the game, after scoring 22 points, 21 from attacks and one from a kill block.  Former rookie of the year Angge Poyos meanwhile tallied 21 points from 19 attacks and 2 service aces.

Kianne Olango. Photo from the UAAP Media

Rookie opposite spiker Kianne Olango was the team’s top scorer, delivering 18 points, 14 from attacks, 2 from blocks and 2 service aces. Joan Monares meanwhile bounced back with 13 points, 12 from attacks and a service ace.  The team missed the services of last year’s 2nd best middle blocker Niña Ytang, as she was feeling under the weather

With a win-loss record of 2-3, the Fighting Maroons will battle another tough contender in their next match, as they will face the defending champions NU Lady Bulldogs (4-0), who will try to keep their immaculate record.  UST, on the other hand, will face the hungry Ateneo Blue Eagles on their next game day.  Both games will happen this Sunday, March 9 at the Mall of Asia Arena, with the UP vs NU game happening at 1PM, while the UST vs Ateneo game tipping off at 3PM.