THE UST Golden Tigresses advanced to the semifinals of the Premier Volleyball League Collegiate Conference after fending off the De La Salle-College of St. Benilde Lady Blazers, 26-24, 29-27, 25-17, at the Arena in San Juan Saturday.
The Tigresses remained undefeated in five outings while St. Benilde fell to 1-3.
Leading 14-11 in the third canto, UST ignited an 11-6 blitz, topped by Milena Alessandrini’s crosscourt kill, to pull away for good.
“Nangangapa pa kasi ‘yong mga players kaya ayaw gumalaw noong una pero sinabihan ko na mag-enjoy lang sila at i-celebrate ang bawat point [kaya naging maganda ang outcome],” UST assistant coach Yani Fernandez said.
Ysa Jimenez’s down-the-line kill and Lady Blazer Marites Pablo’s service error broke a 27-all deadlock in the second frame that allowed UST to take a 2-0 set lead.
St. Benilde’s error capped off the Tigresses’ two-point swing in the opening set for an early advantage, 26-24.
Alessandrini and Jimenez chalked up 13 points apiece for UST while Eya Laure added 11 markers.
Pablo led all scorers with 14 points.
The Tigresses will put their unbeaten streak on the line against the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws on Aug. 18, Saturday, 2 p.m. at the same venue.
