The UST Golden Tigresses survive defending champs La Salle in five sets to inch closer to a UAAP volleyball championship.
There will be a new UAAP volleyball champion.
After five years, the UST Golden Tigresses are Finals-bound again following their five-set escape over defending champs La Salle Lady Spikers, 25-20, 16-25, 25-20, 19-25, 15-7 in the UAAP Season 86 Women’s Volleyball Final Four on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Now, the Tigresses will await the winner of the NU Lady Bulldogs and FEU do-or-die matchup this Wednesday, which will determine their Finals opponents. Notably, both squads were the only pair to beat the Tigresses this season.
UST super rookie Angge Poyos led UST with 28 markers, alongside lefty Jonna Perdido with 18, and Em Banagua with eight markers built on four blocks. Reg Jurado and Bianca Plaza also contributed eight points apiece, while Cassie Carballo poured in six, including the game-winning ace and 19 excellent sets.
Tigresses’ captain and libero Detedet Pepito also anchored UST’s floor defense with 16 excellent receptions to her name.
As expected, the contest was no cakewalk for the UST Golden Tigresses. After taking the opener, the España-based volleybelles were shut down by La Salle in the second set as Jyne Soreño sparked a 16-5 run for the defending champs.
Despite taking a 2-1 set lead, the Tigresses also allowed another La Salle rally in the crucial fourth set. Tied at 11 apiece, La Salle’s Shevana Laput and Amie Provido connived as the Lady Spikers proceeded to outscore UST 14-8, forcing a decider.
However, UST proved to be the better squad in the fifth set. After an early three-all deadlock, the Tigresses unleashed a series clinching 12-4 run, with contributions from Poyos, Banagua, Perdido, and Carballo.
UST’s cause was further aided by a late service error from Provido, which was followed by a kill from Perdido, and Carballo’s service ace which booked UST’s Finals berth.
Shevana Laput and the graduating Thea Gagate led La Salle with 20 and 16 points respectively, with Gagate recording six blocks. Star hitter Angel Canino notched 14 markers, while spark plug Jyne Soreño recorded 11, headlined by five rejections.
Banner Image courtesy of the UAAP Season 86 Media Team.
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