UST spikers simply can’t be outdone

Even on its "off" day, University of Santo Tomas played just good enough to subdue Lyceum, 25-22, 26-24, 25-19, yesterday and stretch its win streak to five in the Shakey’s V-League second conference at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

"This is our worst game," said UST coach August Sta. Maria, whose wards are now way atop the field with a 5-0 mark with back-to-back UAAP titlist La Salle and Philippine Sports Commission taking the next two positions with 3-1 and 4-2 (win-loss) records, respectively.

"Lagi kaming nagpapauna, siguro gusto nang magsiuwi sa kani-kanilang probinsya para sa Pasko kaya wala sa focus," he added. "Buti na lang nakakabawi kami sa huli."

The UST spikers trailed in the early going of each of the three sets but each time Venus Bernal and Roxanne Pimentel pulled them out of trouble as the fancied pair combined for 27 hits, including 19 on attacks to turn back the Lady Pirates.

San Sebastian finally came out of the rut, snapping a four-game skid with a 25-22, 26-24, 25-19 victory over Far Eastern U in the other game.

Jennifer Bohawe came off the bench to score 21 points, including 17 on attacks as the Lady Stags caught up their victim in fifth place heading into the two-week break. Action in the event, sponsored by Shakey’s Pizza and organized by Sports Vision Management Group, Inc., resumes on Jan. 4, 2005 with matches that were reset last Dec. 2.

UST plays San Sebastian in the 3 p.m. opener while Lyceum and La Salle collide in the other contest at 5 p.m.

Lyceum, which finished third in the first conference of this event sponsored by Shakey’s Pizza and co-presented by Dunkin Donuts, HBC Home of Beauty of Exclusives, Smart and PLDT with Mikasa and Accel as official volleyball and outfitter, respectively, actually came into match oozing with confidence following back-to-back victories after dropping its first two matches.

But after posting leads of as many as six points, the Intramuros-based belles failed to sustain their momentum and wavered in the face of the power-hitting tandem of Bernal and Pimentel’s attack on the net.

In the opening set, Lyceum seized a 5-1 lead then went up, 8-2, in the second behind Ma. Angelica Bigcas, only to falter on each occasion. The last time Lyceum tasted the lead was at 16-14 but the end result was the same as unforced errors hastened the team’s downfall, its third against two triumphs as it fell into a tie with Letran College at No. 4.