FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Nothing to lose, University of Santo Tomas dealt a huge blow on Adamson’s Final Four bid with a 25-23, 25-18, 23-25, 25-15, in the penultimate day of eliminations in the UAAP Season 76 women’s volleyball tournament Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Pam Lastimosa played through a sprained ankle and still finished with a team-high 18 points for the Golden Tigresses, who wound up their campaign with a 5-9 record and will miss the semifinal round for the second straight season.
“I just told the players ‘we will not play as a spoiler, we just want to end the season with a win,’ said UST head coach Odjie Mamon.
Lastimosa hurt his ankle late in the second set after landing on the foot of Adamson’s Mylene Paat but would return in the ensuing set to pick up where she left off.
Carmela Tunay added 17 while Marivic Meneses chipped in 11 points, including the match-clinching point, for UST.
The Tigresses rode on their sturdy net defense with 19 block points with Loren Lantin and Tunay having five blocks each.
“They played loose and they really enjoyed playing out there,” added Mamon.
Shiela Marie Pineda tallied a game-high 21 points while Mayette Zapanta had 13 as both led the Lady Falcons in the third set.
Adamson, which ended the eliminations with a 6-8 card, blew a chance to get inside track of the last semis slot and instead moved on the verge of falling out of contention.
A win by Far Eastern University (6-7) over third-running Ateneo (9-4) on Sunday will assure the Lady Tamaraws the last Final Four spot.
A loss by the Lady Tams on the other hand, would have pit them in a playoff with the Lady Falcons for the coveted slot.