The University of the Philippines Lady Maroons celebrate after winning a key point against the University of the East Lady Warriors in UAAP women’s volleyball yesterday at the Ateneo gym in Quezon City. (MB photo | Alvin Kasiban)
by Jerome Lagunzad
Games Today (Mall of Asia Arena)
8 a.m. — FEU vs DLSU (Men)
10 a.m. — NU vs Ateneo (Men)
12 p.m. — NU vs FEU (Women)
4 p.m. — Ateneo vs DLSU (Women)
With top guns Issa Molde and Tots Carlos taking charge, University of the Philippines repeated over University of the East, 14-25, 25-22, 25-23, 25-23, yesterday to close out its UAAP Season 80 women's volleyball campaign on a high note at the Blue Eagle gym in Katipunan, Quezon City.
Molde spearheaded the Maroons’ attack with 19 points, built around 14 kills, four service aces and a block, while Carlos added 14 points, highlighted by a pair of killer blows in the decisive set, to help UP recover from a flat start and reassert its mastery over the Lady Warriors.
The come-from-behind victory came on the heels of its straight-sets upset victory over Final Four-bound Ateneo last week, enabling UP to finish with a 6-8 mark, good for fifth spot.
UE, which saw the last of graduating hitter Shaya Adorador in the collegiate scene, suffered its sixth straight setback and 12th overall in 14 matches, ending up at the tailend of the eight-team field anew.
Adorador finished with a team-high 15 points, 10 of them off kills and five service aces, for the Lady Warriors, who showed enough fight and even took a 20-17 lead in the fourth set.
But UE suddenly lost its groove in the face of UP’s rally, with Molde firing at will before taking the backseat to Carlos, who scored back-to-back kills that got the job done.
In men’s play, Jayvee Sumagaysay led the way as University of Santo Tomas turned back Adamson, 25-23, 21-25, 25-16, 25-17, to force a playoff match for the fourth and final semifinals spot.
Sumagaysay tallied 20 points, built around 10 kills, eight blocks and a pair of aces to help the Growling Tigers improve their mark to 6-8 and tie the Falcons from fourth to fifth spots.
Meanwhile, University of the Philippines salvaged some measure of pride with a 25-20, 22-25, 25-7, 25-18 victory over University of the East.
Graduating Wendel Miguel put a strong end to his collegiate career with 22 points, 17 of them off kills, while Jerry Earl San Pedro, John Millete and John Mark Castillo added at least 11 points each for the Fighting Maroons who ended their campaign with a 4-10 mark, good for seventh spot.
Clifford Inoferio got 10 points for the Red Warriors, who bowed out empty handed with their 14th straight setback.