UST volleyball teams post twin kill in UAAP opener

University of Santo Tomas needed more than two hours of a grueling five-setter before pulling off a win over Ateneo, kicking off an action-packed showdown in the opening of the UAAP volleyball tournament at the San Juan Arena. After two hours and two minutes, the reigning women’s titlist prevailed, 25-13, 18-25, 19-25, 26-24, 15-13.. Season 72 MVP Aiza Maizo scored 29 hits, including the match-winning kill. She added three blocks in spearheading the Tigresses’ solid defense. Team skipper Maruja Banaticla also had a steady game, contributing 12 points. “Yung malaking puso nila, yun lang ang susi," said UST coach Cesael de los Santos. On offense, the Lady Eagles were able to hold their own against the Tigresses. But the España-based volleybelles were solid in their net defense, with Maizo and Dimaculangan conspiring in their teams’ 8-4 advantage on blocks against the Lady Eagles. Cara Acevedo topscored for the Lady Eagles of coach Roger Gorayeb with 18 markers while teammates Jorella de Jesus and Fille Cainglet added 14 points each. In the other women’s match, National University posted its first victory over Far Eastern University, 21-25, 25-18, 25-22, 25-21. “Malaking bagay ‘yung naging exposure ng mga bata sa V-League, talagang nag-gain sila ‘dun ng confidence," said NU coach Francis Vicente. The UST’s men’s team made it a double celebration, with the Tigers demolishing the Blue Eagles in straight sets, 25-20, 25-16, 25-17. - KY, RCJ, GMANews.TV