UST spikers oust St. Benilde Blazers

MANILA, Philippines - University of Santo Tomas reasserted its might over St. Benilde and ran away with a 25-13, 25-16, 26-24, firming up its bid for the top spot in the Final Four while booting out the Lady Blazers from the semis race in the Shakey’s V-League Season 6 at The Arena in San Juan yesterday.

Aiza Maizo delivered 18 hits while Angeli Tabaquero and Maruja Banaticla added 12 and 11 points, respectively, for the Tigresses, who moved two games ahead of second running FEU Lady Tams in their battle for the top spot in the semifinal round.

Giza Yumang matched Maizo’s output, including 17 attacks, and guest player Rosann Fajardo and Zharmaine Velez added 11 and eight points, respectively. But the rest of the Lady Blazers struggled against the Tigresses’ solid games in the first two sets.

St. Benilde tried to extend the match in the third to no avail, blowing a 20-16 lead as UST, winner of the first conference of the league sponsored by Shakey’s Pizza, wrapped the straight-set win to raise its record to 9-1.