BALIPURE made University of Santo Tomas (UST) labor in three sets to post a 25-23, 25-19, 25-11 victory and capture third place in the Shakey’s V-League Season 13 Reinforced Conference on Monday at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
The Purest Water Defenders relied on their seasoned players and imports to frustrate the young Tigresses and follow up on their 19-25, 25-16, 25-18, 25-18 win in Game One on Saturday in the race-to-two affair.
Americans Katherine Morrell and Kaylee Manns again shone for BaliPure. Morrell erupted with 24 points she highlighted with 22 kills and 18 digs, while skipper and setter Manns dished out 56 excellent sets and eight hits.
Dzi Gervacio and Amy Ahomiro chipped in nine and seven points, respectively, while libero Denden Lazaro protected the floor with 15 digs and eight excellent receptions.
EJ Laure led UST’s charge with 14 points and eight digs, with Cherry Rondina contributing 10 points on 14 digs and six receives.
The bronze medal effort was the second for BaliPure, which also swept Team Laoag to clinch third place in the Open Conference of the league sponsored by Shakey’s.
But despite their fourth place finish, the Tigresses look forward to a highly-competitive campaign in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines early next year after slugging it out with teams reinforced by tall, talented American and Thai imports.
Pam Lastimosa added seven points for UST, the most successful team in the V-League.
The Tigresses held their ground in the opening set, giving the Water Defenders a big scare before losing steam in the end. UST also kept the game close in the second but couldn’t match BaliPure’s strong finishing kick.
The Water Defenders found little resistance from the Tigresses in the third set en route to completing their romp in 78 minutes.
Customs skipper Alyssa Valdez, meanwhile, bagged her third Conference Most Valuable Player award. The former Ateneo star also clinched the first best outside spiker honors.