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Source: abs-cbnnews.com

-- University of the Philippines (UP) kissed its quarterfinals hopes goodbye in the 6th Shakey’s V League second conference after bowing to NCAA bridesmaids College of St. Benilde (CSB) in straight sets, 30-32, 19-25, 13-25, Sunday at The Arena in San Juan.

The Lady Maroons, who just returned from a Top 8 finish in the 14th University Games in Iloilo, showed flashes of brilliance in the opening set before succumbing to fatigue deep in their 1 hour and 26 minute encounter with the Lady Blazers.

“We were really tired after playing in the University Games over the weekend,” said UP team captain Cathy Barcelon, who wound up as the only Lady Maroon with double figures: 14 points spiked by 12 hits.

Southlyn Ramos and Angeli Araneta were the other Lady Maroons in sickbay to chip in more than 5 points, contributing 7 and 6, respectively.

“A lot of us were really not in good shape going into this game with some of the starters already suffering from fever,” Barcalon added.

CSB skipper Giza Yumang scored 15 points built around 13 attacks to pace the Lady Blazers, who now rose to 2-4 and take the last quarterfinals seat. UP, meanwhile, fell to 0-6.

Out-of-sync

So out-of-sync were the Lady Maroons on both offense and defense that they gave up 25 error points to CSB, which took an 11-6 advantage in the second frame.

A Yumang service winner pushed CSB to its biggest lead in the second, 21-14. UP however capitalized on 4 CSB setting miscues plus a Barcelon attack to cut the deficit, 18-23.

But that was the closest the Lady Maroons could get as Yumang fired her second ace to clinch match point for the Lady Blazers.

Trailing by only three, 4-7, early in the third set, the Lady Maroons suddenly imploded on the defensive end, allowing Yumang, Katty Kwan and Renelyn Agero to pepper the middle with a bushel of hits and give CSB a 16-8 cushion.

Back-to-back errors by UP and a CSB denial of a Barcelon foray signaled the Lady Maroons’ surrender as the Lady Blazers raced to an insurmountable 19-9 lead for good.

Yumang got ample support from Katty Kwan who chalked up 16 markers, all on attacks, while Zharmaine Velez chipped in 8.

“The game was a test of maturity and attitude for them (Lady Blazers). We still have a lot of fine-tuning to do when it comes to putting more power on our spikes and making timely decisions on the court” CSB coach Thelma Barina-Rojas said.

The Lady Blazers will next play unbeaten UST at 2 p.m. Tuesday.