By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter
THE first round of the eliminations of Season 81 University Athletic Association of the Philippines women’s volleyball came to an end on Sunday with the University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses figuring prominently in key statistics, particularly in the scoring department.
Led by the explosive duo of veteran player Sisi Rondina and top-class rookie Eya Laure, UST, currently at joint second place with a 5-2 record, is getting it done offensively which has considerably helped its cause in the ongoing season of the UAAP.
Rondina is the top scorer in the league after the first seven games, averaging 17.4 points per match while coming in second is Laure with 16.7 points.
The two are also the best spikers, with the rookie at number one with a 37.88% success percentage in her spikes while the graduating Rondina is at second at 34.26%.
Their efforts have made the Tigresses the best spiking team in UAAP Season 81 with a success percentage of 31.38%.
Interestingly, UST had another steady double-digit scorer in Filipino-Italian Milena Alessandrini before she saw her year cut with a season-ending knee injury just four games into the tournament. At the time of her injury, Alessandrini, last year’s rookie of the year, was averaging 13 points a game.
Laure said key to their success to date is just enjoying the game as a team and trusting the ability of one another.
“We’re just playing with a lot of heart and enjoying the game. We hope to continue doing that in the second round,” said Laure following their straight-sets win over the University of the East Lady Warriors on Sunday.
Meanwhile, third in individual scoring for the season is University of the Philippines wing spiker Tots Carlos at 15.7 points followed by Kat Tolentino (15.3 points) of the league-leading Ateneo Lady Eagles at number four.
Rounding out the top five is rookie Princess Robles of the National University Lady Bulldogs with 14.4 points.
At sixth place is Isa Molde of UP with 14.3 points, followed by Judith Abil (14.1) of UE, Ivy Lacsina (13.7) of NU, Lycha Ebon (13.7) of the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws, and Cel Domingo (12.9) also of FEU.
In blocking, it is Ateneo’s Maddie Madayag who is tops, followed by FEU’s Domingo, Ateneo’s Tolentino, Rosielyn Doria of NU and Seth Rodriguez of UE.
Robles is best in serves, punctuated by a league-best 18 aces, with Kyle Negrito of FEU at second followed by Michelle Cobb and Aduke Ogunsanya of the De La Salle Lady Spikers, and Doria of NU.
Best in digs is Adamson Lady Falcons libero Tonnie Rose Ponce with a 7.2 average per set, followed by Ria Duremdes (6.9) of FEU, Kath Arado (6.4) of UE, Jennifer Nierva (5.2) of NU and Carmel June Saga (4.3) of La Salle.
In setting it is Cobb of La Salle who leads with a 6.3 average per set with Ayel Estranero of UP second with a 6.2 average, followed by Laizah Bendong (6.2) of UE, Deanna Wong of Ateneo (5.3) and Negrito (5.1) of FEU.
UE’s Arado leads in receives with a 59% efficiency rate, followed by Nierva (51.4%) of NU, Adamson’s Ponce (47.3%), FEU’s Duremdes (46.8%) and La Salle’s Des Cheng (41%).

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