UP-United Auctioneers Inc. wins! The Lady Fighting Maroons didn’t back down, finally scoring a win in the Philippine Superliga Invitational 2018. The Cocolife Asset Managers started the match well but their efforts were not enough to stop UP from bagging the Playoffs victory.

An energized UP team showed up at the Imus Sports Center today. After losing all their preliminary games and an error-filled set one, the team found their footing in the succeeding sets. Down seven, the ladies crawled back with a 10-2 run to win the second set. They continued to dismantle Cocolife the rest of the match and ended the fourth, 23-11, to bag their first W in the league.

The entire team stepped up to secure the victory. Game MVP Isa Molde led with 17 points, while Marian Buitre added 10. Ayel Estrañero delivered with 35 excellent sets. Rookies also saw more playing minutes in the game with Abilaine Goc scoring 9 points. 

Cocolife’s Veteran Den Den Lazaro was the saving grace for the more experienced team, but found little support from the rest of the Asset Managers. Justine Tiu had 6 points — the highest for the team.

The UPWVT’s next match will be on Thursday (July 19) at the Filoil Flying V Arena. They will also see action in the Premier Volleyball League Collegiate Conference on July 21.

FINAL SCORE:

Cocolife: 25, 20, 16, 13

UP-UAI: 23, 25. 25. 25