Fiery closing run keys Maroons’ escape of Tigresses
University of the Philippines pulled off a gritty 25-22, 18-25, 25-19, 18-25, 15-13, come-from-behind win over the University of Santo Tomas as the Fighting Maroons opened their Shakey’s Super League (SSL) Preseason Unity Cup campaign on a bright note on Sunday, at Playtime FilOil Centre in San Juan.
The Maroons uncorked a closing 8-0 barrage in the deciding set to erase a six-point deficit and walk away with a huge victory in Pool C as Casiey Dongallo finished with 20 points built from 18 kills, one ace and a kill block.
Veteran Nina Ytang scored 15 points off 10 attacks and five kill blocks while Kianne Olango, Bien Bansil and Jelai Gajero added nine points each for the Fabio Menta-mentored Maroons.
UP clawed its way out of a deep, 13-7, hole in the fifth set by taking advantage of a costly service error by Santo Tomas winger Margaret Altea.
The Fighting Maroons strung five more points off Irah Jaboneta, Olango and Bansil, who tipped in an easy ball off a UST over reception to reach matchpoint, as Dongallo hammered the final blow.
