Lady Spikers, Maroons win, join NU at helm

MANILA, Philippines - Defending champion La Salle and University of the Philippines joined National U atop the leaderboard after downing separate foes yesterday in the UAAP LXXIX women’s volleyball tournament at the Arena.

The Lady Spikers recovered from a lackluster second set to scoot past Santo Tomas, 25-23, 16-25, 25-14, 25-16, while the Lady Maroons prevailed over University of the East, 25-16, 26-24, 25-19, to secure win No. 2 and a tie with idle NU Lady Bulldogs.

Kim Dy led the Lady Spikers with 16 points, including five blocks, as Ernestine Tiamzon and Majoy Baron added 14 and 10, respectively. Kim Fajardo tossed in 39 excellent sets on top of eight points.

EJ Laure and Cherry Rondina churned out 13 points each while Marivic Meneses and Mary Pacres added 10 points apiece for the Golden Tigresses who fell to a 0-2 slate.

“They relaxed (in the second set). This will serve as a lesson for them,” said La Salle head coach Ramil De Jesus of his wards.

“But the good thing about it is that you saw how they held on to win in the end.”

Earlier, UP carved out a 25-16, 26-24, 25-19 win over University of the East to go 2-0 as well.

Diana Carlos led the Lady Maroons with 18 points including three service aces as Marian Buitre scored 14, Nicole Tiamzon made 10 and Arielle Estranero dished out 32 excellent sets.

Shaya Adorador and Mary Mendrez made 8 points apiece while libero Kathleen Arado had 20 digs for the Lady Warriors who slid to a 0-2 slate.

UE dominated the blocking department, swatting 14, with Rodriguez accounting for seven, compared to UP’s 3.

“We will still prepare [for the coming games]. We can’t be caught off-guard. The level is getting higher so we will double our preparation,” said UP coach Jerry Yee.

In the men’s division, the UP Maroons notched their second straight victory at the expense of UE, 25-15, 25-21, 23-25, 25-16.

Alfred Valbuena and Gian San Pascual banged in a team-high 15 points each while Wendel Miguel contributed 14 markers and Jerahmeel Baldelovar dished off 40 excellent sets for UP which joined early leaders Ateneo and Far Eastern University.

Edward Camposano scored 21 points and drew able backup from Geric Ortega who finished with 12 markers for the Red Warriors who skidded to 0-2.  

The UST Tigers bounced back from their opening day setback with a hard-earned 25-19, 22-25, 25-22, 18-25, 15-12 win over DLSU.

Jerico Jose paced the Growling Tigers with 18 points, complemented by Manuel Medina (17 hits), Arnold Bautista (11), Tyrone Carodan (10) and Jayvee Sumagaysay (10).

Arjay Onia led four Green Spikers in double figures with 16 points as DLSU slid to 0-2.