Flanked by veteran players, the UST Golden Tigresses grounded Adamson Lady Falcons' ace rookie Shaina Nitura for their third straight victory on Saturday.
Reg Jurado and the UST Golden Tigresses brought down judgment on ace rookie Shaina Nitura and the Adamson Lady Falcons as they extended their win streak to three games in UAAP Season 87, 25-21, 20-25, 25-13, 27-25, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Saturday.
Jurado and Angge Poyos connived against an equally determined Nitura but Adamson folded late in the fourth set.
After a 15-all deadlock midway through the fourth canto, as UST held the 2-1 set lead, the Golden Tigresses scored four straight, capped off by a Nitura attack error, to seize breathing space against the dangerous Lady Falcons.
Despite Nitura and Frances Mordi’s efforts to inch back into the game, they just couldn’t get over the hump even as they reached set point, 25-24, when Beth Hilongo committed an attack error.
Untimely errors from Adamson rookies Nitura and Mordi doomed the Lady Falcons as Nitura couldn’t get it over the net to give UST the victory in the extended set, 27-25.
Previously, Mordi was blocked by Jurado to put the Golden Tigresses at match point.
Poyos led UST’s cavalry with 21 points as Jurado added 17 points. Middle blocker Pia Abbu lifted her weight as well with 10 points in the victory.
Super rookie Nitura finished with a triple-double of 28 points, 14 excellent digs, 12 excellent receptions in the losing effort.
UST thus improves to 3-1 to gain ground in the top four while Adamson skids to 2-2.