Lady Jags escape determined SLU Navs

THE UNIVERSITY of the Cordilleras Lady Jaguars stayed on course for its title bid after ending on a winning note the eliminations round of the women’s volleyball of the Baguio-Benguet Educational Athletic League.

The Lady Jaguars escaped the gritty Saint Louis University in five sets, 18-25, 2522, 19-25, 25-18, 1510, Tuesday afternoon at the SLU Prince Bernhard gym and top bracket B of the 11 field competition.

The Lady Jaguars started slowly against the outmanned Lady Navigators who played well beyond expectation and put the former six-peat champions at the defensive.

“Mahina loob ng anim kaya nagkaroon ng maraming errors,” said UC coach Clarissa Tolentino.

“Naunahan talaga sa kaba, kahit alam naman na kaya,” summed Tolentino.

It was a slow start for the Lady Jaguars with SLU’s Allysa Aquino combined with Anna Gati practically killed the UC receivers as they raced to a 21-14 lead and never looked back.

The Lady Jaguars however fought from 6-10 down to equalize with Jasmin Ocado’s back to back errors. Arances gave UC a taste of the lead for the first time with a spike, 13-12.

Staring at a four point deficit, 14-18, Ocado attacked the bally which rolled atop the net and dropped some eight feet away at the opposite court to make it 15-18.

Then coach Gerald Peralta called on Ryndee Odiem for service and the petite Kalinga native aced her first to make it 1921. Her second service could have gone long but UC was called for interference that saw a delay in the game as Tolentino questioned the call. It was ruled good for SLU, 20-21.

UC evened the score 22-22 on a UC error, before Vienesse Frigillana made it a 23-22 UC affair with a spike that went through the middle of SLU’s side of the court for a clear point.

The win avoided an early clash with reign-

ing champion University of Baguio Lady Cardinals which earlier topped bracket A and will face bracket B number two SLU.

In men’s competition, UC took the top honors in bracket A, while UB topped bracket B after dealing SLU a five set beating over the weekend.