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UAAP volleyball: Comebacking Alessandrini proving her worth for UST

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Camille B. Naredo, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2018/sports/03/25/milena-alessandrini-032518.jpg?ext=.jpg"/><figcaption>UST&#x27;s Milena Alessandrini (6) challenges NU&#x27;s Risa Sato. Arvin Lim, <a href="https://sports.abs-cbn.com/uaap/volleyball/photos">ABS-CBN Sports</a></figcaption></figure></div>MANILA, Philippines – The shoulder injury suffered by Filipino-Italian rookie Milena Alessandrini was a major factor in University of Santo Tomas&#x27; (UST) struggles in the first round of the UAAP Season 80 women&#x27;s volleyball tournament.Without the towering open spiker to help her, Sisi Rondina carried the bulk of the offense for UST throughout the first round of the tournament. While she was always ready to put on an explosive performance, Rondina&#x27;s exploits did not often translate to victories.The Golden Tigresses finished the first round with a 2-5 slate, putting them in a tough position in the Final 4 race. But they have gotten a boost in the second round upon Alessandrini&#x27;s return to active duty.The Fil-Italian played as a receiving libero in their first game of Round 2 – a demoralizing four-set loss to University of the East (UE). But she has been moved to a scoring position since then, and shone in her role.After scoring 20 points in a win against University of the Philippines (UP) last week, Alessandrini tallied a 19-point effort against National University (NU). She had 11 kills, five blocks, and three aces as the Tigresses pulled off a 22-25, 25-23, 25-21, 25-9 upset of the Lady Bulldogs.&quot;I&#x27;m happy,&quot; said Alessandrini, who earned Player of the Game honors, through a translator. &quot;(But) there is more work now.&quot;<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://sports.abs-cbn.com/uaap/news/2018/03/25/uaap-volleyball-ust-stays-alive-final-four-race-39458">READ: UST stays alive in Final Four race</a></li></ul>The win over NU put UST&#x27;s record at 4-7, and kept them in the hunt for a Final 4 spot.For Rondina, having Alessandrini back in the fold was a massive blessing for the Golden Tigresses.&quot;Sobang laking [tulong] kasi sa height pa lang, tapos mahina &#x27;yung mga blockings namin kasi wala masyado kaming katangkaran, lalo na ako,&quot; said Rondina, who had 25 points in their win against NU.&quot;And si Milena, nadadala mo siya sa usap, tapos sumusunod din kaya sobrang saya ko kasi lahat naman kami nakikipagpatayan sa giyera, pero &#x27;yun may katulong na ako,&quot; she added.UST head coach Kungfu Reyes observed that this is the first time all season that the Tigresses had featured a completely healthy roster.&quot;For this time na nakabalik siya, nabuo ulit kami. Parang naka-champion na kami nito,&quot; he said. &quot;&#x27;Yung mga tumalo kasi sa amin is &#x27;yung injury namin. Sa lahat ng team naman, &#x27;yun.&quot;&quot;At least, may rotation na kami, at magiging 100% na sila. Parang naging back-to-back champion na kami,&quot; he added. &quot;At least, buo kami. Talo o panalo, basta buo kami na lalabas. &#x27;Yun ang importante.&quot;The Tigresses are still in a must-win situation heading into their final three games, and they will certainly need Alessandrini to keep playing at a high level.The rookie made no promises, only that she would stay ready.&quot;There are three games more, and I don&#x27;t know what will happen,&quot; said Alessandrini, who plans to spend the Holy Week break in training and catching up on her academics.(For more sports coverage, visit the <a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com/">ABS-CBN Sports website.</a>)

After scoring 20 points in a win against University of the Philippines last week, Alessandrini tallied a 19-point effort against National University.

After scoring 20 points in a win against University of the Philippines last week, Alessandrini tallied a 19-point effort against National University.

UAAP volleyball: Comebacking Alessandrini proving her worth for UST

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UAAP volleyball: Comebacking Alessandrini proving her worth for UST

Camille B. Naredo,

ABS-CBN News

Published March 25, 2018 07:50 PM PHT

Read More:

UAAP

volleyball

UST Golden Tigresses

Milena Alessandrini

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