Dominant Tigresses eye longer reign

MANILA, Philippines - The way UST dominated the second conference of the Shakey’s V-League to cap a sweep of Season 6, the Tigresses could be in for a longer reign in the country’s premier women’s volley league.

Boasting of past, present and future stars, the España-based spikers re-staked their claim as the country’s top volley team when they swept the Adamson Lady Falcons in the finals to complete a sweep of the year’s twin titles at The Arena in San Juan last Tuesday.

For UST coach Cesael delos Santos, it was teamwork that carried the Tigresses to their fifth championship in the league fast turning out to be their playground.

“It was a total team effort. We did not depend on one or two players. Everybody contributed to this victory,” said delos Santos, moments after steering his wards to the title-clinching 23-25, 25-12, 27-25, 25-19 win in Game Two of their best-of-three series.

He pointed to Angeli Tabaquero’s performance in Game Two when she was held to a conference-low three points and Judy Ann Caballejo and Maika Ortiz stepped up to back skipper and MVP Aiza Maizo, guest player and former star Roxanne Pimentel and rookie Maru Banaticla.

The Tigresses also flashed some kind of resiliency as they battled back from a 0-8 deficit in the fourth set with determination rarely seen in other teams.

“Despite being down in the fourth, they didn’t give up and stayed focused because they all knew that they can beat them,” said delos Santos.

He also pointed to Pimentel, Maizo and Banaticla as the past, present and future stars of UST women’s volleyball.

Pimentel, 35, turned back the hands of time as she rammed in key running spikes and blocks when they needed them most. Maizo lived up to her billing as the team’s leader, playing consistently from team’s sweep of the elims up to the Tigresses’ sweep of the Lady Tams in the Final Four and the Falcons in the Finals.

Banaticla was the team’s X-factor as the rookie player held her own against the veterans of other teams, finishing with an average of 14 hits in the championship sponsored by Shakey’s Pizza.

“I’m happy for Roxanne (Pimentel). She was not in top condition when she joined the team but she peaked in time for the finals,” said delos Santos.

He added that Maizo richly deserved the conference and MVP award while reserving his comment on Banaticla, who remained the player to watch for the team next season.

Actually, UST, which has now five championships, will remain intact next year, thus making the Tigresses the team to beat again.