THE University of the Philippines nailed its first big volley championship in style, blowing a 2-0 set lead and an 8-0 bulge in the third then rallying from six-point deficits in the decider for an improbable 25-20, 25-18, 23-25, 20-25, 15-13 victory over a stunned Far Eastern U side at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan last Wednesday.

With the crown slowly slipping off their fingers, the Lady Maroons put one big stand, wiping out a 13-7 deficit in the fifth with key hits from the very player who had earlier claimed the MVP honors in the Premier Volleyball League Season 2 Collegiate Conference.

Isa Molde fired away bombs that the Lady Tams had failed to stop, including two that anchored their incredible comeback to within, 12-13. The Lady Maroons forced a tie on a block off Lycha Ebon then Molde rammed in another vicious kill to put the team within championship point. (PR)