THE UST Golden Tigresses failed to avenge their round 1 loss as they once again fell to the Adamson Soaring Falcons in straight sets, 27-25, 25-20, 26-24, in the second round of the eliminations of the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball tournament on Saturday, April 11, at the FilOil EcoOil Centre.
With the loss, UST dropped to 7-5, slipping below Adamson, who climbed to the third seed with a similar 7-5 slate.
The opening set featured a tight exchange, with both teams trading points early but UST eventually created a margin, building a four-point lead capped by a crosscourt hit from Angge Poyos, 12-8.
The Tigresses sustained their rhythm midway, extending to a three-point cushion from multiple Adamson errors, 18-15.
However, the Lady Falcons gradually turned the tide, highlighted by an off-the-block hit from Joy Aseo to steal the lead, 20-18.
UST then answered with attacks from Jonna Perdido and Cassie Carballo to force a deuce, 24-all.
However, Adamson held firm, finishing the set behind an Aseo kill off an overpass, 27-25.
UST struggled to find its footing in the second set, with reception woes allowing Aseo to capitalize from the right pin, 7-4.
Still, the España-based squad stayed within reach, with Reg Jurado converting a combination play, 12-13.
The Tigresses briefly regained the lead through Poyos’ off-the-block spike, 18-17.
But Adamson’s offensive duo of Francis Mordi and Shaina Nitura took over late to secure the second set, 25-20.
In the third set, UST showed signs of a comeback, leading for most of the frame with Carballo utilizing rookie middle Avril Bron, 13-8.
Bench contributors Blessing Unekwe and Julia Balingit added consecutive hits to preserve a four-point edge late, 18-14.
However, Mordi and Nitura once again delivered in the clutch, while Third Tuddao denied Poyos at the net, fueling a decisive 12-6 run to steal the set and seal the match, 26-24.
Reigning Rookie of the Year Nitura led the charge with a triple-double of 19 points, 10 digs, and 14 receives, while Mordi added 18 markers and 11 receptions.
Poyos was the lone double-digit scorer for UST with 15 points built on 14 attacks and a block, alongside 12 receptions.
The Golden Tigresses will look to bounce back and secure at least a playoff spot as they face the UP Fighting Maroons on Sunday, April 19, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. F
