UP downs Laoag in 4 sets to snap skid

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UP downs Laoag in 4 sets to snap skid

Camille B. Naredo,

ABS-CBN News

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UP improved its record to 2-3. Arvin Lim, ABS-CBN Sports

MANILA, Philippines – The University of the Philippines (UP) Lady Maroons showed improved communication and composure in defeating Team Laoag in four sets to snap a two-game skid in the V-League Season 13 Reinforced Conference Monday at the Philsports Arena.

The Lady Maroons had better execution down the stretch of the second and fourth sets to come away with a 25-20, 27-25, 11-25, 25-20 win over the Power Smashers.

It was only their second win of the conference against three losses, and snapped a sorry skid that saw them lose two straight games in which they failed to win even a single set.

"Medyo mababa rin 'yung energy nung kabila," UP head coach Jerry Yee said after the game. "Kami, we just played our game."

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Nicole Tiamzon had 15 points, coming up with clutch hits in the fourth set, while Marian Buitre had 13 and Diana Carlos added 10 as the Lady Maroons used their net defense to frustrate Laoag's trio of powerful spikers in Grethcel Soltones, Aiko Urdas, and Jema Galanza.

UP claimed a straightforward win in the opening set but Laoag seemed to be on its way to equalizing the match, as they took a 19-15 lead in Set 2 with Soltones beginning to take charge offensively. But errors from the Power smashers, as well as hits from Tiamzon, allowed UP to erase the lead. It was mishit by Soltones that gave UP the advantage, 21-20, and the two teams went back-and-forth from there.

The Lady Maroons twice saved set point, with Buitre scoring through the Laoag blockers to tie the set at 25. Tiamzon then took over, firing a crosscourt kill to put her team at set point, then crushing a spike off the Laoag blockers to finish the come-from-behind win.

Team Laoag roared back in the third set, breaking away from a 9-all count with a 16-2 wind-up for the comfortable win. It looked as though they were on their way to forcing a fifth set as they led UP, 9-7, in the fourth, only for the Lady Maroons to break the game open with a 9-1 run.

The Power Smashers threatened late as Jovelyn Prado scored and Tiamzon committed a hitting error to make it a two-point game, 20-22. But again, it was Tiamzon to the rescue as she scored back-to-back kills, and Galanza's attack in the last rally was way out, giving UP a much-needed victory.

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Yee said he had several pre-game talks with his players that he believes lifted their spirits after their recent slump.

"We've been discussing kung ano ang mga struggles namin. Pinag-uusapan namin na hindi naman sinabing bawal magkamali, kasi kung hindi ka magkakamali, 'di ka naman matututo," he said.

"So we were trying to explain na kumbaga, huwag i-pressure masyado ang sarili," he added.

The loss denied Laoag a chance to join Bureau of Customs in second place. Instead, they dropped to 2-2 in the conference, behind Pocari and Bali Pure (2-1).

Soltones finished with1 8 points, while Urdas had 12, and Wenneth Eulalio finished with 10 for the Power Smashers. Laoag actually had more attack points, 54-42, than UP, but the Lady Maroons tallied 12 blocks to their seven, and eight aces to their four, to make up for the deficit.

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Champion Supra wins first game

Meanwhile, Champion Supra claimed its first victory of the Spikers' Turf Season 2 Reinforced Conference by subduing 100 PLUS, 25-22, 22-25, 25-23, 25-14, on Monday also at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.

In a battle of winless teams, Champion Supra got a combined 43-points from Joven Camaganakan, Berlin Paglinawan, and Arjay Onia to finally secure their first victory and stay in contention for a semifinals spot.

Champion Supra improved to 1-2, while 100 PLUS dropped to 0-4 and is now out of the running for a Final Four spot.

Camaganakan fired two successive kills to put away 100 PLUS in the opening frame, but Philip Bagalay, Jasper Adorador, and Mico Lucindo bounced back in the second to tie the match at one set apiece.

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Onia, however, stepped up in the third, joining Camaganakan and Paglinawan in the scoring brigade to hold off 100 PLUS.

Air Force leads the league with a 2-0 record, while defending champion Cignal TV and Instituto Estetico Manila are tied at 2-1. Army is in solo fourth at 1-0.

Champion Supra will next meet Army on October 22, before facing off against Open Conference champion Air Force on November 2.

(For more sports coverage, visit the ABS-CBN Sports website.)

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