UST teams move closer to UAAP volleyball sweep

The men’s and women’s teams of University of Santo Tomas moved closer to claiming the UAAP volleyball crowns after beating separate opponents in Wednesday’s Game 1 of their respective best-of-three title series at The Arena in San Juan City.

The two-time defending champion Tigers only needed three sets to silence Season 72 host Far Eastern University Tamaraws, 25-20, 25-22, 25-22, while the Tigresses bounced back from an opening set loss to stun defending champion La Salle Lady Archers, 24-26, 25-23, 25-16, 25-21, to make it a double celebration for the España-based squads. "Wala na akong masasabi pa sa kanila, Talagang andun yung determinasyon nilang manalo (I have nothing else to say to my players. They showed their determination to win)," said Tigers coach Emil Lontoc, who is aiming to give UST its 17th overall crown. "Sa nakita ko napakaganda ng nilaro ng FEU. Na-appreciate ko yung preparations nila sa attack at defense pero dito ipinakita ng team ko na ang level nila nasa itaas pa rin (FEU prepared for us but my team showed that they are ready for the challenge)." Veterans John Paul Torres and Henry Pecana piloted the Tigers to the 79-minute victory with the former having 14 hits, four service aces and a block while the latter tallied 15 points. Nestor Molate led FEU with 14 hits, two blocks and an ace as he single-handedly carried the fight for the Tamaraws. "Nakita naman natin na lahat ginawa ng FEU, pero talagang hindi nagpabaya ang mga bata, hindi sila bumitaw (FEU really tried to steal this one from us but my players survived their challenge). They really wanted to win," added Lontoc. In the women’s Finals, UST leaned on skipper Aiza Maizo’s 21 points, the 16 hits of veteran Angeli Tabaquero and rookie Dindin Santiago’s 10 markers to push the Tigresses closer of claiming the title that has eluded them for two seasons. Maizo made 20 of Tigresses’ 56 hits as they peppered the Lady Archers with quick, cross court and running hits to steal the second set and tie the match at 1-set each. But the biggest surprise in the game was UST starter Jessica Curato, who suited up even as Tigresses coach Cesael de los Santos said that veteran libero will be out in the finals due to typhoid fever. "Talagang pinagtulung-tulungan dun sa UST hospital na maka-recover s'ya agad kasi nga alam nilang kailangang-kailangan namin s'ya dito sa finals. Kaya kahit dalawang araw lang s'ya nag-ensayo pinalaro namin s'ya. And we're very thankful that she delivered (Doctors at the UST hospital teamed up to help her recover fast since they know that we need her in the finals. That’s why even if she only had two days of practice we let her play)," said de los Santos of Curato, who had 13 digs next to Maizo’s 15. Stephanie Mercado posted a game-high 22 hits and two blocks while teammate Jacqueline Alarca scored 15 for the Lady Archers. "We're not thinking of a sweep. We know La Salle is capable of coming back. They are the defending champion. It just so happen that we are the better conditioned team," said de los Santos. "But now that we have the momentum on our side, we will try our best to make the most out of it. Para naman hindi masayang yung lahat ng mga pinaghirapan namin (So that all our hard work will not go to waste)," he added. UST only needs to win their game on Saturday and Sunday to formally clinch their target 3-peat and the school’s 17th overall men’s volleyball crown. – GMANews.TV