V-League: UST posts first win after beating DLSU-D

University of Santo Tomas posted their first win after dispatching De La Salle University-Dasmariñas in four sets, 25-13 25-12 23-25 25-18, in the elimination round of the Shakey's V-League Collegiate Conference on Saturday at the San Juan Arena.

With the victory, the Tigresses now hold a 1-1 card after dropping their opening game to Ateneo de Manila University. The Lady Patriots, meanwhile, slid to 0-2 after suffering an upset against newcomer Technological Institute of the Philippines in their first match.

EJ Laure led UST with 18 points, while veterans Pam Lastimosa and Carmela Tunay chipped in 17 and 16 points, respectively.

Cherry Rose Nunag and team captain Iumi Yongco scored 11 and 10 points for La Salle, but they received little help from the rest of their team on the offensive end.

The Tigresses cruised in the first two sets as the Lady Patriots could not seem to get their rhythm, but DLSU made sure to fight back in the third to avoid a sweep.

DLSU posted a 12-7 lead in midway into the third frame off UST's string of errors, and they maintained the cushion, 17-10, through a steady stream of attacks.

Down 19-13 after a Desiree Dadang quick, the España-based ladies made a late run to close the gap, 21-21, capped by back to back aces from setter Alex Cabanos.

UST then forced a 23-all deadlock after Tunay hit through the block, but a costly service error from Laure and a Dadang drop extended the match.

UST slipped into game face mode in the fourth, mounting a comfortable 17-11 cushion. With the lead, Chloe Cortez and Alyssa Teope saw action mid-set but they were pulled back out as La Salle remained within striking distance, 20-17, after back to back UST errors.

Laure was then inserted back after a brief rest and sealed the game with three huge spikes for the Tigresses. - RAF, GMA News