Tigresses down Falcons, share lead

MANILA, Philippines – Alumna Mary Jean Balse stepped up for Univ. of Santo Tomas in the absence of guest player Michelle Carolino as the Tigresses essayed a 25-9, 25-27, 25-18, 25-20 victory over defending champion Adamson U to catch Far Eastern U at the helm in the Shakey’s V-League’s sixth season at The Arena in San Juan late Thursday.

Balse, who helped power the Tigresses to three championships in the league, scattered 19 points, including 15 spikes she rammed into Adamson’s defense while three others combined for 34 points to carry the Tigresses to the victory.

Carolino, who knocked in 19 hits and three service aces in leading UST to a 25-17, 25-19, 15-25, 13-25, 15-11 victory over San Sebastian last Sunday, skipped the match to honor a previous commitment to play in a beach volleyball tournament in Vietnam.

But the Tigresses showed their deep bench as Abigail Co fired 14 hits and Maika Ortiz and Judy Ann Caballejo added 10 points apiece for the España-based squad.

Setter Rhea Dimaculangan and Hannah Mance also combined for 15 hits after a five-point effort against SSC as UST underscored its readiness to go for a fourth straight championship in the league sponsored by Shakey’s Pizza.

Adamson, which swept Ateneo to win last year’s first conference title, also played without guest player and reigning MVP Nerissa Bautista, who also saw action in Vietnam. But the Lady Falcons failed to neutralize the Tigresses offensive sock and took their first loss after an opening day win over the Ateneo-OraCare side.

Rissa Jane Laguilles and Paulina Soriano made 13 and 12 hits, respectively, while Angela Benting and Lilet Mabbayad scored 10 points apiece for Adamson, which bounced back with a second set win in extended fashion after getting clobbered by UST in the opening frame.

“I’m happy with the performance of my team especially in the first set,” said UST coach Cesael delos Santos.

The Tigresses also frolicked in net defense, coming up with 12 blocks, including four from Dimaculangan and three from Caballejo, as against the Lady Falcons’ measly two-point output.

After taking a 2-1 lead with a third set win, UST raced to an 18-8 lead in the fourth, capped by Co’s service ace. But the Lady Falcons refused to give up and fought back behind Laguilles to close in at 20-23.

Co took over and unloaded another kill to pave the way for the Tigresses victory in 1:27.