Laure-Alessandrini tandem powers UST, hands DLSU first loss
By Ernest Martin Tuazon
The UST Golden Tigresses snapped the nine-game winning streak of the DLSU Lady Spikers behind a grueling four-set victory, 25–19, 14–25, 25–18, 25–12, on April 2, Sunday afternoon, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
UST was powered by a combined 49-point effort from team captain Eya Laure and Milena Alessandrini who poured in 29 and 20 markers, respectively.
The Tigresses utilized a 14–5 run in the fourth and final set behind attacks from Alessandrini, Laure, Janna Torres, and rookie Regina Jurado to hand La Salle its first loss in Season 85, 25–12.
The early parts of the third set contained nine deadlocks, but UST blasted DLSU with a 6–2 run, and eventually ran away with the set as Laure scored four out of the final six set points, 25–18.
The University banked on Laure’s eight markers in the first set, along with the clutch contributions of veteran middle blockers Imee Hernandez and Torres to take the opening set, 25–19.
UST’s tight net defense in the opening set saw DLSU’s super rookie Angel Canino held to a single point, compared to her eight-marker outburst in their first-round encounter.
Overall, a much-improved Tigresses on the defensive side of the floor saw La Salle only having one double-digit scorer in Canino’s 12 attacks and one block.
La Salle, who is known for its blocking prowess, only tallied six rejections, all of which came in the second set. UST also pulled off six blocks in total.
Alessandrini and Laure were backed by Jurado’s 11 attacks and one ace, along with libero Bernadett Pepito’s 25 excellent digs and 11 successful receptions.
After a 13-day Holy Week break, the Tigresses look to retain their form as they clash against the also-ran Ateneo Blue Eagles (3–6) on April 15, Wednesday, at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.
