Tigresses hope to reach V-League finals with Carolino’s return

MANILA, Philippines – University of Santo Tomas hopes to come back from its shocking Game 2 defeat to Far Eastern University with the timely return of guest player Michelle Carolino. Sans Carolino, the top-ranked Tigresses suffered a 16-25, 25-23, 25-21, 25-23 reversal from the Lady Tams last Sunday, paving the way for Tuesday's winner-take-all game for the other finals berth in the Shakey's V-League. The winner will meet early finalist San Sebastian College, who swept and dethroned Adamson University in their own best-of-three semifinal duel. "We played bad in Game 2," was all UST coach Cesael delos Santos could say about their defeat in Game 2. But with the return of Carolino, who took a leave from playing in the league to play in an international beach volleyball competition in Vietnam, the Tigresses are expected to have more firepower in a bid to repeat their 25-14, 25-23, 22-25, 25-18 win over the Lady Tams in Game 1. UST is also banking on team captain Aiza Maizo to bounce back from a so-so 12-point output in Game 2 while hoping for superb games from Mary Jean Balse, Bernice co, Maika Ortiz and Rhea Dimaculangan to bag their ticket to the championship. Maizo had an outstanding 21 points in Game 1 to help the Tigresses grab the lead in the short series. With their surprising victory in Game 2, the fourth-ranked Lady Tams have the momentum going in Tuesday's match and FEU coach Nes Pamilar knows what his wards need to do to repeat that victory. “We need to improve our defense. We were able to control UST’s drop shots the last time out and we hope we can do it again," said FEU coach Nes Pamilar. Expected to lead FEU are its star players Rachel Daquis, Cherry Vivas, Maica Morada, Mayette Carolino and guest player Rubie de Leon. – Perry Legaspi, GMANews.TV