The University of the Philippines escaped an undermanned yet pesky University of Sto. Tomas side, 25-19, 13-25, 25-23, 16-25, 15-6, Saturday night to keep its unbeaten record intact in Group B preliminary round of the 13th V-League Collegiate Conference at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.

The Lady Maroons raced to a 4-1 lead to start the fifth set and from there on controlled the tempo to take a 3-0 win-loss record for the solo lead. The Tigresses dropped their first game in three matches.

Isa Molde had 14 kills in her total of 16 points while Justine Dorog scored 14 points anchored on 13 attacks for UP. Kathy Bersola ended up with 12 points with three coming off aces including the match-clinching service winner.

Diana Carlos chipped in 10 points for the Diliman-based squad, which advanced to the round robin quarterfinals with UST and FEU.

“Timing natin naka-pickup tayo and naka-service tayo sa laro,” said Lady Maroons coach Jerry Yee, whose squad will close the prelims on August 20 against Far Eastern University.

The win gave UP a 1-0 carryover record in the quarterfinals.

Despite marching in battle without five of their mainstays including top hitters Cherry Rondina and EJ Laure, who both played in the championship of the Philippine Superliga for Foton, the Tigresses showed grit behind guest player Eya Laure to force a decider. The duo are expected to agaisn skip their match against FEU.

Also out of the match were Chloe Cortez and the tandem of Jem Guttierez and Kathlyn Viray who were in Legazpi, Albay to compete in the Beach Volleyball Republic.

Eya Laure posted 20 points with all but one coming of attacks while Ria Meneses had 18 markers on 11 spikes and seven of UST’s total of 10 kill blocks.

This story was originally published on the ABS-CBN Sports website.