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UAAP Season 80 Preview: UST Golden Tigresses

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<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BeHiXtLBjbS/" data-instgrm-version="8" style="background:#FFF;border:0;border-radius:3px;box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15);margin:1px;max-width:658px;padding:0;width:calc(100% - 2px)"><div style="padding:8px"><div style="background:#F8F8F8;line-height:0;margin-top:40px;padding:50% 0;text-align:center;width:100%"><div style="background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAABGdBTUEAALGPC/xhBQAAAAFzUkdCAK7OHOkAAAAMUExURczMzPf399fX1+bm5mzY9AMAAADiSURBVDjLvZXbEsMgCES5/P8/t9FuRVCRmU73JWlzosgSIIZURCjo/ad+EQJJB4Hv8BFt+IDpQoCx1wjOSBFhh2XssxEIYn3ulI/6MNReE07UIWJEv8UEOWDS88LY97kqyTliJKKtuYBbruAyVh5wOHiXmpi5we58Ek028czwyuQdLKPG1Bkb4NnM+VeAnfHqn1k4+GPT6uGQcvu2h2OVuIf/gWUFyy8OWEpdyZSa3aVCqpVoVvzZZ2VTnn2wU8qzVjDDetO90GSy9mVLqtgYSy231MxrY6I2gGqjrTY0L8fxCxfCBbhWrsYYAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC);display:block;height:44px;margin:0 auto -44px;position:relative;top:-22px;width:44px"> </div></div><p style="color:#c9c8cd;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;line-height:17px;margin-bottom:0;margin-top:8px;overflow:hidden;padding:8px 0 7px;text-align:center;text-overflow:ellipsis;white-space:nowrap"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BeHiXtLBjbS/" style="color:#c9c8cd;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;line-height:17px;text-decoration:none" target="_blank">A post shared by ABS-CBN Sports (@abscbn_sports)</a> on <time dateTime="2018-01-19T04:33:05+00:00" style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;line-height:17px">Jan 18, 2018 at 8:33pm PST</time></p></div></blockquote><div><script async="" defer="" src="https://platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js" type="text/javascript"></script></div><p>MANILA, Philippines – University of Santo Tomas (UST) was supposed to be a contender in Season 80. Without EJ Laure, however, will they be able to live up to the hype?</p><p>Last season&#x27;s record: 9-5</p><div><strong>What happened in Season 79?</strong></div><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/sports/03/29/ust-tigresses.jpg"/><figcaption>With EJ Laure and Sisi Rondina leading the way, the Tigresses made the Final 4 in Season 79.<em> Josh Albelda, <a href="https://sports.abs-cbn.com/uaap/volleyball/photos">ABS-CBN Sports</a></em></figcaption></figure></div><p>Season 79 was a breakthrough year for the Golden Tigresses. They ended a four-year Final 4 drought, making it to the semifinals as the No. 3 seed. Sisi Rondina and EJ Laure established themselves as two of the top open hitters in the UAAP. Dimdim Pacres became a fan favorite.</p><p>Their Final 4 stint was short, howeber, as eventual champion De La Salle University dismissed them in four sets.</p><p>Yet it was undoubtedly an impressive campaign for the Tigresses, as they notched victories outside of La Salle and Ateneo de Manila University in Season 79. Laure, in particular, endeared herself to volleyball fans with a pair of gutsy performances late in the season.</p><p>The former Rookie of the Year suffered ankle sprains in both their last elimination round game against National University, and their Final 4 game against La Salle. In both instances, however, she shook off the pain and returned to the game.</p><p>It was clear that UST had a bright future, and coach Kungfu Reyes was determined to help his players realize their potential. To this end, he had them compete in the Philippine Superliga Grand Prix, where they matched up against bigger, better players, and survived.</p><p>Key losses: Ria Meneses, Alex Cabanos, EJ Laure<br/>Key returnees: Sisi Rondina, Dimdim Pacres, Carla Sandoval<br/>Key additions: Milena Alessandrini</p><div><strong>Now what?</strong></div><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/sports/03/16/031617-ust.jpg"/><figcaption>UST head coach Kungfu Reyes remains upbeat of his team&#x27;s chances. <em>Arvin Lim, <a href="https://sports.abs-cbn.com/uaap/volleyball/photos">ABS-CBN Sports</a></em></figcaption></figure></div><p>The Tigresses were tipped as a Final 4 contender heading into UAAP Season 80, but that was before a series of events that shocked the UST community.</p><p>First, former UAAP Best Blocker Ria Meneses confirmed that she was not returning for her final playing year. Then, shortly before Christmas, EJ Laure dropped a bombshell: a chronic shoulder injury will prevent her from suiting up in Season 80 as well.</p><p>Laure&#x27;s loss cannot be understated: the former Rookie of the Year is good for at least 15 points per game, and has made great strides as a defender as well. Together with Sisi Rondina, she formed UST&#x27;s one-two punch and kept the Tigresses competitive against higher-ranked teams.</p><p>&quot;Saan kami pupulot ng 17 points, 15 points, 16 points per game? Saan kami kukuha?&quot; said UST coach Kungfu Reyes, verbalizing UST&#x27;s big problem after Laure&#x27;s shocking exit.</p><p>Reyes is counting on Carla Sandoval to step up for UST this season. Sandoval was barely used in Season 79, just coming off the bench to spell Laure or Rondina towards the end of blowout wins. He is also hopeful that Dimdim Pacres will take another step forward after her solid campaigns in the club leagues.</p><p>Yet it is certain that the bulk of the responsibility will fall on the shoulders of Rondina. She and Laure have been in step almost all throughout their UAAP careers, but now the bubbly Cebuana will have to take an even bigger role for the squad.</p><p>This is where Filipino-Italian recruit Milena Alessandrini comes in. She turned heads when she started joining UST&#x27;s practices late last year. During a visit to the Tigresses&#x27; training in January, Alessandrini displayed considerable leaping ability and power. If she lives up to expectations, UST should remain a force even without Laure.</p><p>&quot;Palagay na &#x27;yung loob ni Milena,&quot; said Reyes of his recruit. &quot;Nakikipag-biro na rin, sumasayaw na rin with them.&quot;</p><div><strong>What can we expect?</strong></div><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/news/04/03/rondina-040317.jpg"/><figcaption>Sisi Rondina will be UST&#x27;s top option with Laure out. <em>Arvin Lim, <a href="https://sports.abs-cbn.com/uaap/volleyball/photos">ABS-CBN Sports</a></em></figcaption></figure></div><p>Laure&#x27;s loss is a massive, unexpected blow for UST. Reyes can only hope that players like Pacres and Sandoval are up to the challenge, and that Alessandrini will make an immediate impact.</p><p>Other than that, there are plenty of holes that UST also has to fill in. Aside from Meneses, UST also bid goodbye to Chloe Cortez, setter Alex Cabanos, and former team captain Pam Lastimosa. This puts plenty of pressure on players like Tin Francisco and new captain Shannen Palec to step up in the middle.</p><p>Setter Alina Bicar still needs to prove herself as well. She alternated with Cabanos last season, but is expected to be a fulltime playmaker now.</p><p>Regardless of who is in their line-up, Reyes has high expectations of his team. He believes that their stint in the PSL and a training camp in Thailand have prepared the Tigresses for this season, even as they march forward without one of their best players.</p><p>&quot;Naka-ready kami, anu&#x27;t ano man ang mangyari ngayong season na ito,&quot; he promised.</p><p>UST opens its campaign against defending champion De La Salle University on February 3 at the Mall of Asia Arena. </p><p>For more sports coverage, visit the <a href="https://sports.abs-cbn.com/">ABS-CBN Sports website</a>.</p>

<p>University of Santo Tomas (UST) was supposed to be a contender in Season 80. Without EJ Laure, however, will they be able to live up to the hype?</p>

University of Santo Tomas (UST) was supposed to be a contender in Season 80. Without EJ Laure, however, will they be able to live up to the hype?