University of the Philippines recovered from a slow start to beat Adamson University, 23-25, 25-20, 25-13, 25-22, in the women’s division of the Premier Volleyball League Open Conference Sunday night at The Arena in San Juan City.
Diana Carlos fired 16 hits to finish with 20 points for the Lady Maroons, who finally ended a three-game skid.
Isa Molde also sparkled for the Katipunan-based collegiate spikers with 17 points on 13 attacks and two service aces, while Caryl Sandoval came off the bench to finish with 13 points.
UP hung tough in the fourth set where it rallied from a 17-15 deficit as Carlos steered the Lady Maroons with variety of attacks at the net to shatter the Lady Falcons’ floor defense.
Back-to-back spikes from Molde gave UP the needed win.
“I think nag-enjoy lang talaga sila sa game nila,” said UP assistant coach Kat de Lara. “Kahit nung fourth set na lamang ang Adamson, tyinaga lang nila para makuha yung rhythm nila and eventually, yung panalo.”
Meanwhile, Creamline’s Alyssa Valdez earned the inaugural Philips Gold-PVL Press Corps Player of the Week honors for her impressive performance in her team’s last two matches last week.
Valdez, a four-time Most Valuable Player in the league, erupted for 23 points in the team’s 25-19, 25-22, 22-25, 25-12 victory over Hair Fairy Air Force and returned with a 30-point output in their 25-15, 17-25, 25-19, 25-19 triumph over defending champion Pocari Sweat.