Lady Jags forges crucial win

University of the Cordilleras pulled off a stunning 22-25,25-21,25-20,24-26,15-12 victory over University of Baguio for a perfect 6-0 record in women’s volleyball of the Baguio-Benguet Educational Athletic League.

Larry Fabian Photo

With their backs against the wall after the first set, the UC Lady Jaguars rose to challenge as they drew stellar performances from Roxanne Almonte, Aloise Marie Costales and Nica Salazar to spoil the Lady Cardinals possible sweep of the eliminations round.

The Lady Jaguars victory against the Lady Cardinals also gave them breathing room and another possible sweep of the eliminations round, a perfect record they also held in winning the same tournament last year.

“We never had any game plan, I just wanted them to play as a team,” said rookie coach Ysang Tolentino after that five game thriller last Sunday at the BSU gym.  

But that sweep is far from being realized as the defending titlist faces another tough opponent in Saint Louis University Lady Navigators this Sunday, September 11, at the CCDC Gym for the last playing date of the eliminations round for the women’s volleyball.

The Lady Navigators fell prey to the Lady Cardinals in their August 21 encounter on a grueling 22-25, 25-15, 29-27, 20-25, 15-11 at the UC Gym.

“Against SLU ang sinabi ko lang sa mga players eh sipagan pa nila yung pagblock sa mga spikers nila kasi mas matangakad ang line up nila,” added Tolentino. “Dapat doblehin pa yung aming effort kung gusto naming manalo sa SLU”.

And that showdown between last year’s protagonists in the championship round will be a sight to see as the Lady Navigators racked up its five games in six outings by trouncing the Cordillera Career Development College Lady Admirals in three sets, 25-18, 25-8, 25-13.

University of the Philippines–Baguio Lady Maroons, meanwhile, boosted its quarterfinals hopes with a 25-17, 25-23, 25-22 drubbing of the Baguio Central University Lady Eagles.

Benguet State University also notched a place in the step ladder format quarterfinals after scoring a three set 25-9, 25-10,25-9 victory against season host Pines City Colleges Lady Warriors.