Source: Alder T. Almo abs-cbnnews.com
-- The streak continues.
The University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers opened their title defense with a bang as they easily disposed the De La Salle Green Archers, 25-8, 25-15, 23-25, 25-16, at the start of the 72nd UAAP men’s volleyball tournament Sunday at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan City.
The Tigers leaned on their superb attacking and steady services to score the 4-1 set victory that stretched their winning streak to 18 games dating back to last season.
“Kung 17 games ang kailangan namin, eh di 17 games ulit,” said a confident UST coach Emil Lontoc after the Tigers’ rousing debut.
Lontoc leaned on the quartet of Henry Pecana, JP Torres, Salvador Depante and Jayson Ramos, who combined for 55 points to get the Tigers’ offense firing.
The Tigers, however, failed to sweep the Archers when they let their guards down in the third set. Banking on Chris Macasaet, the Archers stole the third set away from the Tigers, 25-23.
The Tigers regrouped in the fourth set to run away with the win.
“Hindi pa kami 100% lalo may dalawa kaming rookies sa loob. May mga lapses pa rin kami especially nung fourth set but in spite of that, malakas ang outside hitters namin,” assessed Lontoc.
The UST coach sees last season’s runner-up, University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons, as their biggest threat to another title run. He also did not discount Far Eastern University and University of the East as Final Four contenders.
The Fighting Maroons won their debut match earlier in the day with a three-set sweep of the Ateneo de Manila Blue Eagles, underscoring their readiness to give the Tigers a run for their money.
The Maroons drew 10 points each from Ramon Lucindo and Michael Arda in their 25-19, 25-21, 25-20 victory.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
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