Tigresses overcome Lady Chiefs’ late surge in five-setter

Tigresses in jubilation. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

University of Santo Tomas relied on a mix of veteran composure and young energy to put down Arellano University, 25-21, 25-22, 19-25, 24-26, 15-12, Sunday in the quarterfinals of the Shakey’s V-League Collegiate Conference at San Juan Arena.

Golden Tigresses captain Pam Lastimosa carried UST on her back while sophomore EJ Laure finished the deal in the fifth set.

Laure gave UST the 14-12 match point with an off-the-block kill and sealed the 3-1 quarterfinals record with a crosscourt attack before kneeling down in jubilation.

Lastimosa scored three points for UST in the latter stages of the fifth set, last of which gave the Golden Tigresses a 12-8 bubble.

UST head coach Kung Fu Reyes said facing the kind of adversity against the NCAA’s defending champions gave is an experience they should learn from.

“This is a new chapter for us,” Reyes said. “They could use that experience where they are put through a challenge only a strong opponent can give.”

Arellano’s guest player Mina Aganon sizzled for the Lady Chiefs scoring four straight points to tie the final set at 12-12 before Lastimosa showed her savvy with an off-the-block kill to give UST the 13-12 lead.

Laure led UST with 23 points while Lastimosa had 18.

Chloe Cortez, who was filling in for the injured Carmela Tunay, added 14 points while middle blocker Ria Meneses pitched in 10 points for UST.

Aganon led the 2-2 Arellano with 23 points of her own while Cristine Rosario added 15.