UP escapes gritty UE squad in a five-set thriller

4 February 2018

By Ardyn Gonzales

The University of the Philippines Lady Maroons needed to dig deep to prevent anopening-game loss to start their season with a 25-19, 25-13, 21-25, 16-25, 15-8 win over the feisty University of the East Lady Warriors in the second day of the UAAP Season 80 Women’s Volleyball, Sunday, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

The first two sets went in favor of UP, with the duo of team captain Tots Carlos and Isa Molde punishing the floor defense of UE with strong attacks.

However, the Lady Maroons were haunted by their reception problems as their two liberos struggled, leading to the collapse of the UP squad in the third and fourth frames.

With their chance to start the season with a win on the line, UP recuperated instantly in the deciding set where their experience in five-setter games dating back to previous seasons were used to prevent a come-from-behind win by the Lady Warriors.

Lady Maroons’ Tots Carlos and Isa Molde were in their usual selves with 22 and 20 points respectively, while Judith Abil tallied her career-high 12 points for UE.

Player of the Game: Tots Carlos, 22 points (20 attacks, 1 block, 1 service ace)

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