Tigresses cruise to easy first win over Lady Red Warriors
OPENING GROWL. UST sweeps UE for its 1st win in UAAP Season 77 Volleyball 25-11, 25-12, 25-14. Photo by Josh Albelda/Rappler
Team captain Pam Lastimosa led the way with 12 points while rookie EJ Laure, who started for this game, wound up with 8 markers including two blocks.
Marivic Meneses added 7 points (5 kills, 2 blocks).
"Start the season right," said UST head coach Odjie Mamon, who is aiming to take the Tigresses back to the Final Four after missing it for two straight seasons.
The Tigresses were in form right away showcasing much-improved net defense, which the Lady Warriors had all the trouble penetrating.
"We really focused on our defense," Mamon said.
The Lady Red Warriors, on the other hand, extended its losing streak to 32 games dating back to Season 74.
Angelica Dacaymar and Shaya Dorador topscored for UE with 6 and 5 points, respectively.
Mamon admitted the first game is in no way a gauge of his team's improvement considering that UE is an entirely new team currently still adjusting to its new coach Francis Vicente.
"Not really because UE is rebuilding. They have a new system, new coach, new players," Mamon explained.
UE was clearly still groping around the new system with multiple instances of miscommunication throughout the game. They also gave up 29 points to UST off of their errors.
"Not that we're underestimating UE but they went through a lot of changes," Mamon added.
Mamon says the big test for them will come next Sunday, November 30 against last year's runners-up De La Salle Lady Spikers. – Rappler.com
