The UST Golden Tigresses halted the 20-game winning streak of the NU Lady Bulldogs after prevailing in five sets, 25-23, 27-25, 17-25, 22-25, 15-11, in the UAAP Season 85 women’s volleyball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena on Saturday.
Eya Laure scored UST’s final two points in the fifth set to end NU’s unbeaten run that dated back to April 27, 2019, when the Sisi Rondina-led Tigresses trounced NU in four sets.
Milena Alessandrini, who sat out the majority of the fourth set after landing awkwardly on her right ankle, returned in the deciding set and contributed three crucial points.
NU took advantage of Alessandrini’s absence to take the fourth set, 25-22.
The Lady Bulldogs went on a 13-6 run to capture the third set, 25-17.
After winning the close first set, 25-23, the Tigresses outlasted the Lady Bulldogs in the second set, 27-25, to take a commanding two-sets-to-none lead.
Laure and rookie Regina Jurado led the Tigresses with 18 points apiece, while Alessandrini logged 14 points.
Alyssa Solomon paced the Lady Bulldogs with a game-high 22 points, while Bella Belen scored 17 points.
UST head coach Emilio “Kung Fu” Reyes said the rookie-laden Tigresses showed composure in the win.
“Kahit bad game, napakahirap manalo sa kanila (Lady Bulldogs). Every single point kailangan naming trabahuhin, ganoon ka-disiplina ‘yung team na iyon, that’s why defending champions sila. Luckily, nakuha namin ‘yung fifth set,” Reyes said.
The Lady Bulldogs went unbeaten last season.
The UST Golden Tigresses will next face the Adamson Lady Falcons on Mar. 8, Wednesday, 2 p.m. at the Araneta Coliseum.
