MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) — The UP Lady Maroons are off to a positive start this year as they dominated the UE Lady Warriors, 25-20, 25-13, 25-21, for their first win in the UAAP Season 78 women's volleyball tournament on Sunday, January 31 at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
Rookies Justine Dorog and Diana Carlos led the scoring for UP with 9 points apiece. All of Carlos' points came from attacks while Dorog also had 4 service aces.
Veteran Nicole Tiamzon also had 9 points including two blocks in the win. Marian Buitre added 7 points.
Team captain Kathy Bersola returned this season for the Lady Maroons after suffering an ACL injury last year. The fourth year middle hitter registered 7 points.
Despite the win, UP head coach Jerry Yee lamented the 22 errors his team gave up to UE, saying he expected jitters from his mostly-rookie squad playing before a packed Arena.
Yee, whose team finished outside of the Final Four last season with a 5-9 record, is more optimistic this year.
"We are more fun to watch. We will give it a good fight," he said in a mix if Filipino and English. "Unlike the last few seasons na tentative where we were tentative. Now maybe we're tentative but with a purpose. There is something we are trying to achieve."
The host school showcased the improvements they've made in the offseason, gaining momentum late in the first set and pulling away early in the second for a quick 2-0 advantage.
The Lady Maroons also displayed composure amid a rally from the Lady Warriors in the third set. Dorog helped lead a run that turned a slim 17-16 lead into a 21-17 edge.
Shaya Adorador topscored with 7 points off of spikes for UE, which went winless last season.
Judith Abil and Juliet Catindig each had 5 markers while Roselle Baliton and Mary Ann Mendrez added 4 points apiece. — Rappler.com