UST crushes CSB, nears sweep of V-League matches

University of Santo Tomas crushed NCAA finalist Collge of St. Benilde, 25-14, 25-17, 25-17 Tuesday to move one win short of sweeping the preliminary round of the Shakey’s V-League Season 6 second conference at The Arena in San Juan City.

UST, fresh from defending their University Games crown in Bacolod City, hardly missed the services of team skipper Aiza Maizo who was used in the latter part of third set after bringing the wrong set of uniform in the game. “Medyo nalito lang siguro kasi hindi kami nag-ensayo kahapon, pagkagaling ng Bacolod dito na lang ulit kami nagkita-kita (She got confused since we haven’t practiced after playing Bacolod)," said Tigresses coach Cesael De los Santos. Ma. Angeli Tabaquero finished with 10 hits and a block for the Tigresses with Judy Anne Caballeho and rookie Maruja Banaticla added 10 points each while setter Rhea Katrina Dimaculangan and Maika Ortiz chipped in nine and seven markers. “Sabi ko sa mga bata, kailangan yung laro namin pataas at hindi dapat bumaba pagkagaling ng Uni Games kaya naman natutuwa ako sa kanilang ipinakitang laro (I told my players that we must raise the level of our games after the Uni Games. I’m happy with the way they played)," said De los Santos even as Maizo scored a season low one point. The Lady Blazers, led by Giza Yumang’s nine points, ended their elimination round campaign with two wins and five losses. CSB earned some consolation after securing the sixth spot in quarterfinal round. In the second game, Far Eastern University rallied from a 10-point deficit to foil Lyceum’s upset bid with a 25-22, 25-21, 28-26 victory. The Lady Pirates, the reigning WNCAA champions, are aiming for a win that would ate least force a playoff with the Lady Blazers for the last quarterfinal spot. Trailing 18-8 in the third, Cherry Vivas and Shaira Gonzalez teamed up to help the Lady Tams tie the count at 24-all. Vivas scored 15 hits and had three service aces including the game winning ace that also gave CSB a free ride in the quarterfinals. Lyceum, which was hoping to win its last two games to tie CSB, took a 13-5 edge behind Joy Cases’ timely kills. FEU, however, responded to coach Nestor Pamilar’s challenge as the Lady Tams ended their preliminary round campaign with six wins and two losses while dealing the Lady Pirates their sixth straight defeat. – GMANews.TV