THE UST Golden Tigresses failed to advance in the finals following a 14-25, 20-25, 26-24, 13-25 loss to the De La Salle University Lady Spikers in the Final Four clash of the UAAP Season 79 women’s volleyball tournament at Araneta Coliseum Saturday.
La Salle, which had five players finishing in double figures, registered 48 kills on top of 17 blocks and 11 service aces to book its ninth straight UAAP finals appearance.
After losing the third set, the Lady Spikers led 12-4 early in the fourth before firing seven straight kills for a 15-point lead, 19-4. Joy Baron, who had a game-high 17 points, delivered a quick hit for the icing on the cake.
“Marami kaming ginawa para sa laban na ‘to kaya lang hindi nag-materialize today. Kinulang pero hindi kami titigil, kasi last year nga sixth kami, ngayon third na,” UST head coach Emilio “Kung Fu” Reyes Jr. said.
UST arrived at set point in the third set, 24-21, until the Lady Spikers tied the game behind three straight points. But Shannen Palec’s quick hit and Cherry Rondina’s combination play prevented La Salle’s sweep.
Tin Tiamzon and Kim Dy added 13 and 12 points, respectively, for La Salle while Rondina and EJ Laure scored 16 and 14 markers, respectively, for the Tigresses who ended a four-year Final Four drought this season.
The Tigresses were within striking distance in the opening frame, 12-15, but La Salle rode on a 10-2 blitz, highlighted by Desiree Cheng’s back-to-back service aces, to draw first blood.
Alex Cabanos, Pamela Lastimosa and Chloe Cortez played their last UAAP match for the Tigresses.
