ALSO-ran University of the Philippines booked its first victory in the quarterfinals of the Shakey’s V-League Season 12 Collegiate Conference after keeping College of St. Benilde winless, 18-25, 25-16, 25-19, 25-19, Sunday at The Arena in San Juan on Sunday.
Rookie Justine Dorog fired 20 points for the Lady Fighting Maroons, while fellow freshmen Maria Molde added 14 and Diana Carlos with 12.
Sophomore Marian Buitre chipped in 11 for the Diliman-based schoo, which improved to a 1-5 record.
“We try to build character here, kahit out of contention na, sana may matutunan kami,” said UP coach Gerry Yee.
UP’s freshmen have been stepping up in the absence of veterans Nicole Tiamzon and ace blocker Kathy Bersola, who are both out due to knee injuries.
Yee, who’s on his third year coaching the Lady Fighting Maroons, was pleased to see his recruits deliver.
“Rookies natin matagal na nating inaalagaan,” he said. “Kasi as I said before when UP invited me over sabi ko nga medyo kulang tayo ng players and sabi ko nga ang medyo solid na batch is two years from now, which is this year na ‘yun.”
“So we were eyeing them from the get go, sila ‘yung target natin from the beginning, so ito na sila they are performing so kailangan na lang alagaan and pahinugin,” he added.
Jannine Navarro came with 16 points for CSB (0-6), while Melanie Torres added 12.
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