30 March 2014, 8:40 p.m. – THE UST Golden Tigresses forced a deciding fifth set but committed costly mistakes, yielding to the National University (NU),19-25, 22-25, 25-18, 26-24, 15-10, in their Shakey’s V-League encounter at The Arena in San Juan Sunday.
UST, which featured former setter Rhea Dimaculangan and UAAP Season 76 girls’ Most Valuable player Ennajie Laure as guest players, was no match against NU’s superb blocking in the final set.
The Lady Bulldogs quickly regrouped in the fifth frame and went on an early 6-1 lead after giving up the third and fourth sets to UST.
Laure, who starred for UST with a game-high 23 points, scored off a down-the-line attack to put the Tigresses within three, 6-9.
Just as UST got the momentum, Shannen Palec made a service error. It was followed by a strong kill from Lady Bulldog Myla Pablo for an 11-7 NU advantage.
The Tigresses then racked up four straight points, highlighted by a Carmela Tunay block, to trim the deficit to one, 11-10.
But veteran Dindin Santiago closed out strong against her former team, leading a 5-0 charge to seal the game.
UST was down, 16-20, in the fourth set, but Laure stole the lead, 21-20.
Ahead, 24-23, Tigress Jessey De Leon almost gave NU the set after a service error, which tied the match.
Pam Lastimosa stepped up in time to extend the game, 26-24.
Carmina Aganon steered the Lady Bulldogs to their second win with 17 points. Alexis U. Cerado
