In-form Tigresses trim Lady Pirates

Defending champion University of Santo Tomas flashed its true form with an impressive 25-16, 25-19, 25-17 victory over Lyceum yesterday to get back on track in the 2005 Shakey’s V-League first conference at the Lyceum Gym.

A week after sputtering against the San Sebastian Lady Stags in a 25-10, 21-25, 22-25, 14-25 loss, the Tigresses were on attack mode this time as they easily disposed of the Lady Pirates to clinch a first win in two outings in a match that lasted just an hour.

Mary Jean Balse and Venus Bernal led the attack by combining for 25 points — 18 of which coming on kills — although it was the duo of Joyce Paño and Joan Botor-Carpio who provided the spark.

The returning Paño, part of the Espana-based squad that wrested the crown in last year’s edition of this tournament bankrolled by Shakey’s Pizza but didn’t play in the second conference due to her studies, unleashed 10 hits to set the tone for the rout.

Botor-Carpio, who led the pontifical school to three UAAP titles in the 90s, for her part, was the adhesive that glued the Tigresses together, dishing out a game-high 25 excellent sets.

"Medyo naga-adjust pa siguro kami," said UST coach August Sta. Maria.

The win was also made easy by the injury sustained by Lyceum’s top hitter Ma. Angelica Bigcas. The Amerasian, the best attacker last year, re-injured her right shoulder in the first set and never returned to hasten downfaall of the Intramuros-based school.

Dahlia Cruz and Charissa Fe Genido tried to fill the void left by Bigcas, with 13 and 12 points, respectively, but the Lady Pirates didn’t have enough defense up front to contain the Tigresses’ attacking spree.

It was Lyceum’s second straight loss, the first being a marathon 21-25, 27-29, 25-19; 25-22; 12-15 defeat to newcomer Ateneo de Manila Tuesday in this event backed by Accel, Mikasa, IBC 13 and Jemah Television.

La Salle likewise scored a straight-set win over Far Eastern U, 25-21, 25-20, 25-20, to gain a share of the lead with surprise package San Sebastian with identical 2-0 (win-loss) marks in the second game.