MANILA, Philippines -- Far Eastern University (FEU) stalwart Cherry Mae Vivas emerged as the league’s top all-around individual performer at the end of the first round in the 72nd UAAP women’s volleyball tournament.

The power-hitting Vivas collected a total of 128 points spiked by 114 kills, 5 blocks and 9 aces to become the only Lady Tamaraw in the Top 10 of the elite scoring list.

“I’m always playing my best every game to help the team enter the Final Four. Being the scoring leader after the first round is a bonus but our focus in the second round is still to improve our record,” said Vivas who also bagged MVP and Best Scorer honors in the second season of the recent Shakey’s V-League tilt.

Vivas’ offensive exploits comes in handy for the Lady Tamaraws, who lost its other prolific scorer Shaira Gonzales to injury late in the first round. FEU currently totes a 4-4 record following its 25-15, 25-18, 25-21 victory over University of the East.

Running second to Vivas is Adamson University’s Angela Benting who tallied 113 points anchored on 100 kills, 5 blocks and 8 aces while National University standout Mervic Mangui checked in third with 110 markers (98 kills, 5 blocks, 7 aces), just a shade above the 109-point (98 kills, 3 blocs, 8 aces) aggregate of Ateneo de Manila University veteran Dzi Gervacio at fourth place.

University of Santo Tomas (UST) skipper Aiza Maizo notched a fifth-best 107 points (79 kills, 23 blocks, 5 aces) to overtake De La Salle University captain Stephanie Mercado who wound up sixth with 99 points (88 kills, 4 blocks, 7 aces).

Occupying the seventh and eight places were Adamson’s Jill Gustillo (92 points – 85 kills, 2 blocks, 5 aces) and Pau Soriano (89 points- 72 kills, 16 blocks and 1 ace).

University of the East’s Mary Cristel Rosale (82 points – 68 kills, 5 blocks, 9 aces) and Angeli Tabaquero (81 points- 66 kills, 9 blocks, 6 aces) of UST rounded up the Top 10 at ninth and tenth places, respectively.

Interestingly, no one among the league’s Top 10 scorers managed to single-handedly rule the individual scoring skills departments in spiking, blocking and serving.

Poring over the numbers, UST quicker Maika Ortiz was the first round’s Best Spiker, averaging a 43.7-percent success rate with only 9 faults in 67 attacks.

La Salle’s Joanne Siy took the Best Blocker citation with a 90-percent efficiency rate, denying 18 kills while only committing 18 faults on 46 rebounds.

UST starting setter Rhea Dimaculangan wore the Best Server tag, firing carving a 69-percent norm from the service zone built on 18 aces against 7 faults and 127 serve hits.

Meanwhile, Adamson libero Lizlee Ann Agata, and April Jose and Rose Anne Taganas dominated the non-scoring skill category, wrapping up the first round as Best Digger, Setter and Receiver, respectively.

In the team statistics, UST starred as the best spiking (35.67 percent–367 spikes, 114 faults 548 shots) and blocking (2.62 percent per set–68 kills, 111 faults, 292 rebounds) unit while La Salle was the first-round’s top serving crew (2.20 percent per set–44 aces, 52 faults, 384 serve hits).

Adamson typified its defensive prowess as the best digging (15.04 percent per set–364 digs, 179 faults, 533 reception) and receiving (45.28 percent efficiency–212 excellent receives, 20 faults, 192 serve reception) squad while FEU executed the best setting (45.48 percent per set–487 running sets, 7 faults, 418 still sets) job by any team going into the second round. -- by Anthony Divinagracia