By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The University of the Philippines (UP) continued its stellar campaign in the ongoing UAAP Season 84 women’s volleyball tournament after dealing the University of Santo Tomas (UST) with its first loss, 25-21, 23-25, 25-21, 25-22.
It was another team effort for the Fighting Maroons after spreading the offensive tally sheet in almost all of their opposite hitters.
Jewel Encarnacion spearheaded the UP attack with 16 points built from 13 successful hits and became a revelation since Alyssa Bertolano’s fantastic two-game debut.
“They played their hearts out. It was not an easy game. UST is a very, very strong team. They are very experienced and they have good coaching staff,” said UP head coach Godfrey Okumu.
It was the Fighting Maroons who immediately took the opening set in a tightly-contested battle courtesy of consistent offensive executions finished by Encarnacion and Bertolano.
However, national team mainstay and UST superstar Eya Laure finally came alive in the second set and scored crucial points to equalize the contest at one set apiece.
Just when Laure and UST thought they already figured out the UP defense, the duo of Encarnacion and Bertolano once again went to work and punished the opposing middle blockers with their huge spikes.
UP then seized the much-needed momentum and swept the two remaining sets to extend their undefeated UAAP run to three.
“So it’s a win, yes, but it wasn’t easy for us. We really had to work hard for it. I hope the girls will continue fighting the same way,” added coach Okumu.
