Games Thursday (The Arena, San Juan)
2 p.m. — Lyceum vs USJR
4 p.m. — USLS vs SWU
6 p.m. — Adamson vs Ateneo

With their guest player Mary Jean Balse still hobbled by injury and two other teammates out because of studies, the University of Santo Tomas Tigresses went to Aiza Maizo, Maruja Banaticla and Maika Ortiz for the needed firepower.

With the troika at the helm, the defending champions recovered from a sluggish start to beat the University of St. La Salle-Bacolod Lady Stingers, 18-25, 25-20, 25-21, 25-9 in the 7th Shakey’s V-League Tuesday at The Arena in San Juan.

Fielded sparingly because of injuries on both knees, Balse, a two-time MVP, was hardly a factor while Judy Anne Caballejo, a starter, and Sarah Gonzales missed the game since they were taking summer classes.

So, it was up to Maizo, the reigning MVP, Banaticla, last year’s top rookie, and Ortiz to take charge after the Tigresses dropped the first set.

“We only played well in the last two sets. It’s good that we won because we really needed this win,” said UST mentor Shaq Delos Santos.

With the win, the Tigresses, who lost to San Sebastian College last Sunday, improved to 3-1 in Group A.

Middle blocker Ortiz, who only had nine points last time, led the team’s well-balanced attack with 16 hits, including four blocks while Ortiz had 15 which she highlighted with three aces.

In the second game, Ateneo turned what was expected to be a tough fight into a rout as the Lady Eagles blasted the Lyceum Lady Pirates in straight sets, 26-24, 25-16, 25-19, to remain unbeaten in Group B with a 3-0 card.

Lyceum dropped to a share of second place with Adamson with similar 2-1 records.