The UST Golden Tigresses secured a Final Four slot after surviving the pesky FEU Lady Tamaraws in four sets, 26-24, 22-25, 25-16, 25-23, in the second round of the UAAP Season 85 women’s volleyball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday.
The Tigresses clinched a postseason berth for the third straight time after improving to a 9-3 win-loss record, while the Lady Tamaraws were eliminated after falling to a 6-7 win-loss slate.
After being down by five, 14-19, the Tigresses went on a furious 12-5 rally capped by an Eya Laure crosscourt kill to win the first set, 26-24.
With the second set tied at 22-all, the Lady Tamaraws stunned UST with a set-winning 3-0 run to equalize the game, 25-22.
UST caught fire in the middle of the third set, burying the Lady Tamaraws with an 8-0 run to go up, 18-9.
Back-to-back Milenna Alessandrini kills gave UST a 2-1 set advantage, 25-16.
An off-the-block kill by Laure won UST the match in the fourth set, 25-23, and formalized the Tigresses’ entry into the Final Four.
UST head coach Emilio “Kung Fu” Reyes said the Golden Tigresses would focus on using their remaining regular season games, including their next against the defending champions NU Bulldogs, to prepare for the Final Four.
“Nandito na kami sa top four, pero siyempre, may ranking pa rin na tinatawag… Parehas kami ni NU na gusto manalo. We aim higher, pinaghahandaan namin sila (NU). Hindi magiging madali siyempre along the way pero gagawin namin ang best namin,” he said after the game.
Laure scattered 28 points, while Imee Hernandez poured in 19.
Season 85 Best Libero candidate Bernadett Pepito had 21 excellent digs and 18 excellent receptions, while rookie setter Cassie Carballo had 17 excellent sets.
Cherie Tagaod led FEU with 12 points.
The Golden Tigresses will next face the Lady Bulldogs on Wednesday, April 26, at 11 a.m., at the Fil Oil Eco Oil Centre.
