By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The championship-contending University of Santo Tomas (UST) Golden Tigresses opened their UAAP Season 84 women’s volleyball tournament campaign on a high note after prevailing over Far Eastern University (FEU), 25-23, 25-20, 25-21.
Eya Laure top-scored for the Golden Tigresses with 14 points off 13 made attacks while Camille Victoria chipped in 11 successful attacks.
Despite almost two years of court rust due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Laure still put on a show and continued her offensive prowess for UST.
The former national team member spearheaded UST’s offensive runs and was the one who always sparked the offense each time they experienced a scoring drought.
“Luckily nanalo kami ng straight sets. Every error na nagagawa ng players is nare-recover naman nila,” said UST head coach Kungfu Reyes.
However, the Golden Tigresses have to play in the next games without rising star middle blocker Imee Hernandez who suffered a sprained left ankle in the first set.
Hernandez, who became a part of the last batch of national team members sent to Thailand, is expected to become UST’s main defensive anchor in the middle.
On the positive side, coach Reyes had the luxury to let the other substitutes shine against FEU and will have to rely on them to fill in Hernandez’s shoes.
Lycha Ebon became the bright spot for FEU after scoring nine points from seven attacks while Nikka Ann Medina had eight points.
