THE UST Golden Tigresses made quick work of the the University of the Philippines Lady Maroons, 25-20, 25-21, 25-16, to secure a playoff for a Final Four spot in the UAAP Season 79 women’s volleyball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena Sunday.
UST avenged its first-round loss against UP, registering 30 kills, 10 blocks, and nine service aces.
The Tigresses opened the final set with a 12-6 lead before going on an impressive 8-1 run, capped by a Cherry Rondina’s down-the-line hit, to pull away for good, 20-7.
“This time naging effective ‘yung conditioning at rest period yesterday coming to this game. Nagstep-up sila this game,” UST coach Emilio “Kung Fu” Reyes Jr. said.
Down by as much as six point early in the second canto, UST built an 18-14 cushion off a 12-3 spurt.
EJ Laure paced UST with 14 points off 10 kills, two aces and two blocks while Rondina and Marivic Meneses added 14 and 10, respectively.
The Lady Maroons had a slim 19-18 lead in the opening frame but UST ignited a 7-1 blitz, highlighted by back-to-back errors from UP, to draw first blood.
Diana Carlos was the lone bright spot for UP with eight points.
“Nandito na kami, malaki ang chance namin sa Final 4. Hindi na namin hahayaan na mawala pa sa amin ito,” Reyes added.
UST (8-5) will face the National University for its last game in the elimination round on April 8, Saturday, 12 noon, at the Araneta Coliseum.
