PVL: Lady Tams blast Stags for solo lead

UP’s Ayel Estranero reacts as the ball sails over the head of Perpetual Help’s Jhona Rosal for another point for the Fighting Maroons during their PVL Collegiate Conference clash at the Filoil Center.
UP’s Ayel Estranero reacts as the ball sails over the head of Perpetual Help’s Jhona Rosal for another point for the Fighting Maroons during their PVL Collegiate Conference clash at the Filoil Center.

Games today
9 a.m. – UST vs La Salle (men’s)
11 a.m. – Arellano vs UP (men’s)
2 p.m. – Adamson vs St. Benilde (women’s)
4 p.m. – San Beda vs UST (women’s)

Far Eastern U finally delivered the win the way it wanted, crushing San Sebastian, 25-15, 25-22, 25-18, yesterday to seize control of the field with a third straight victory in the Premiere Volleyball League Season 2 Collegiate Conference at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan last night.

Unlike in their five-set escape over the St. Benilde Blazers and a four-set triumph over the San Beda Red Spikers, the Lady Tams disposed of the Lady Stags in three, underlining the team’s progress in terms of cohesion and developing that killer instinct lacking in their first two outings.

Heather Guino-o rebounded from a so-so game against San Beda by ramming in nine points while Celine Domingo and Jeannette Villareal backed her up with eight markers apiece.

Coach George Pascua also gave reserves Carly Hernandez, Czarina Carandang, Clavel Dejito and France Ronquillo a feel of tournament play as part of confidence-building as they saw action and added one point each in the third frame.

“I would say we played in the 50 percent level in our first game and 60 percent in the next. Today (yesterday), I think it’s 70 percent,” said Pascua, referring to his wards’ level of play.

“I trust the process. Hopefully, slowly, by the end of the tournament, ma-achieve na namin yung chemistry,” he added.

The Lady Tams still committed 20 errors but the Lady Stags prove worse, making 32 miscues. They also produced six blocks against their rivals’ three and had an 8-4 advantage in aces and 14-3 in excellent sets.

Sofia Sarmiento had seven points for SSC, which fell to 0-2.

Earlier, University of the Philippines overpowered Perpetual Help in the first two sets then rallied from five down in the third to fashion out a 25-10, 25-12, 25-23 victory and kick off its late campaign in the league organized by Sports Vision and backed by Mikasa and Asics.

With veteran Isa Molde on the firing end, the Lady Maroons cruised past the hapless Lady Atlas in the first two frames before relaxing in the third, enabling the Las Piñas-squad to seize control three fourths of the way.

But Molde took charge and the Lady Maroons shattered the 23-all count on a drop shot and a kill, dealing the Lady Altas’ their third straight shutout loss in the mid-season conference of the league.

Molde fired away eight kills and spiked her game-long brilliance with three aces and three kill blocks for a 14-hit output while seven other teammates scored at least four points. The incoming third year hitter also produced eight digs for the Lady Maroons, who opened their campaign one week after the start of the two-month long tournament serving as part of the field’s preparation for their upcoming respective leagues.

The Lady Maroons also parlayed the sloppy play of the Lady Altas, who had 24 errors.

Jowie Verzosa topscored for Perpetual with seven markers.