THE UST Golden Tigresses shocked powerhouse Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws, 25-16, 21-25, 26-24, 25-20, at the Mall of Asia Arena Saturday.
The Tigresses won their third straight game after losing three of their first four. They are now at fourth place despite sharing the same 4-3 record with the Lady Tamaraws.
Dimdim Pacres, who was named Player of the Game following a 12-point performance in her first start of the season, nailed three straight service aces before Cherry Rondina punctured FEU’s frontline defense to punctuate a 10-3 blitz in the fourth set.
“Napakalaking bagay nito sa amin. Na-break namin ‘yung previous standing namin noong nag-end ‘yung first round. Unang panalo kay FEU,” Tigresses head coach Emilio “Kung Fu” Reyes said in an interview.
“Noong nakaraang taon wala kaming panalo kahit isa. Na-uplift lalo ‘yung morale ng players. Talagang may nangyayari na sa pinaghihirapan namin.”
The Lady Tamaraws were just a point away from taking a 2-1 set lead after reaching set point, 24-23, but EJ Laure fired back-to-back crosscourt hit for a 25-24 UST lead. Tigresses’ Caitlin Viray powered a spike through a block to close the third set.
Laure had a game-high 17 points for the Tigresses while Rondina chipped in 14. Toni Rose Basas led the Lady Tamaraws with 16 points.
UST’s schedule for the second round of the tournament is yet to be determined.
