Tigresses go 0–2 in V-League campaign after loss to UP
By Joie Frances Timbas
The UST Golden Tigresses suffered their second straight loss at the hands of the UP Fighting Maroons in four heart-wrenching sets, 26–28, 25–21, 21–25, 25–27, in the 2022 V-League Collegiate Challenge Super League held at the Paco Arena, Wednesday afternoon.
The two teams battled closely during the opening salvo as the Tigresses kept trailing by a small margin then managed to even the score right up to the end of the set.
UST almost closed out the set since they were the first to reach set point 25–24, but they were unable to close out which resulted in another deuce forcing an extension. UP survived the set, 26–28.
Tables turned in the second frames as the Tigresses kept leading while UP kept tying the game. However, the women from Espana fought to finally nab a set in their favor, 25–21. Despite 11 block points coming from UP, their 11 errors erased that.
Tied at one set a piece, UST was down by seven points when they rallied a small run as Pierre Abellana kept serving until she made an error, 16–19. UP’s lead almost diminished with UST down by one, 20–21. The Tigresses failed to regain momentum as Abellana sent it outside from the service area to end the set, 21–25, giving the Fighting Maroons a 2–1 advantage.
In the fourth and what became the final set, it was another close fight between the two teams. The Tigresses survived match points from 22–24 and reached set point 25–24, but lost it in the clutch as the match ended, 25–27.
Missing key player Eya Laure, this is the Tigresses’ second loss after suffering a 1–3 defeat last week to the College of Saint Benilde Blazers, who are the defending champions of the NCAA.
The Tigresses will try to look for a spark in their next game against the San Beda University Red Lions, this Friday, Oct. 28, at the same venue.
