UST spikers stretch romp in Shakey’s V-League

University of Santo Tomas extended its amazing run of victories to three by smashing Letran College in a quick, merciless straight-set victory yesterday to regain the solo lead in the Shakey’s V-League at the Lyceum Gym.

An almost impenetrable defense at the net and a pair of power spikers were all the Tigresses needed to notch a 25-10, 25-14, 25-19 win that took them only an hour to dispose of their rivals and stay unbeaten in the event aired "live" on IBC-13 and serving as the revival of women’s volleyball.

Venus Bernal and Mary Jean Balse spewed fire up front with a barrage of kills while swarming the net with a rock-solid defense that stifled the Lady Knights’ spikers.

Still, UST coach August Sta. Maria downplayed his wards’ victory, which somehow served as a tune-up for the team’s keenly-awaited clash with powerhouse San Sebastian Tuesday.

"I think Letran played a bad game, they couldn’t receive well," said Sta. Maria, who steered the school to a number of UAAP titles in 24 years he was at the helm of UST volleyball.

"Nakatulong din dun ‘yung mga blockers ko, pinahirapan talaga nila ang spikers ng Letran," he added.

Joyce Pano opened the match with an ace that jumpstarted the Espana-based belles’ romp, taking the set in just 15 minutes while giving away just 10 points.

Twice the Lady Knights seized the lead, the last at 3-1 in the second set, but it turned out to be the last as Bernal and Balse, a rookie transferee out of Davao, took over and came through with crisp smashes to take the set and a commanding 2-0 lead.

With Sta. Maria giving his mainstays their much-needed rest, Letran fought back from an 8-13 deficit in the third set to knot the count at 18-all. But Bernal, playing his second season for UST this forthcoming UAAP season, came back to spoil their rivals’ bid with a series of winners.

"We’re playing consistently and we’re improving each game," he said. "This is also a good win for us because we’ll be facing San Sebastian, which is one of the top teams to watch in this tournament."

UST, which won over reigning UAAP titlist La Salle in four sets and Lyceum in straight sets, takes on NCAA four-peat champion San Sebastian tomorrow at 3 p.m. in a duel of unbeaten teams.

The Lady Stags are closely behind the Tigresses with a pair of triumphs over Far Eastern U and Letran, which were both four-setters. — Joey Villar