INQUIRER Sports

MANILA, Philippines—University of Santo Tomas returned to action in an even more dominant form against College of St. Benilde Tuesday.

The unbeaten Tigresses pulled off a swift and merciless 25-14, 25-17, 25-17 thumping of the Lady Blazers that moved UST on the brink of an elimination-round sweep in the Shakey’s V-League Season 6 second conference at the FilOil-Flying V Arena in San Juan City.

“I’m just happy we improved our form,” said UST coach Cesael Delos Santos, whose team was coming off a successful title run in the University Games in Iloilo City last week.

UST brandished a well-coordinated attack with Angeli Tabaquero, Maruja Banaticla and Judy Ann Caballejo combining for 31 points. The Tigresses were so dominant that Delos Santos opted not to field top hitter Aiza Maizo until the third set.

The Tigresses can sweep the elimination round with a victory over defending champion San Sebastian College on Friday.

Despite falling to 2-5, the Lady Blazers were given a free ride to the quarterfinals by Far Eastern University, which knocked Lyceum out of contention with a straight-sets victory in the second game of the tournament sponsored by Shakey’s Pizza and backed by Accel, Mikasa, Mighty Bond and OraCare.

Inconsistent with their reception, the Lady Tamaraws needed a strong finish in the third set to clinch a 25-22, 25-21, 28-26 triumph over the Lady Pirates.

“I’m not happy with the way we played, especially with our reception,” said FEU coach Ernesto Pamiliar.

The Lady Pirates fought back from 10 points down in the first set, tying the match at 21, before yielding in 27 minutes.

Without guest player Rachel Anne Daquis, the Lady Tamaraws fell to an early 10-point hole in the third set.

But Shaira Gonzales struck seven of her 18 points to allow the Lady Tamaraws to come within, 22-23, before Cherry Vivas scored three of the last five points for FEU.