UST, Ateneo in Shakey’s V-League semis KO duel

University of Santo Tomas never doubted that it could tear through Ateneo’s invincibility.

The Tigresses hope their faith can carry them one more time in the knockout match of their semifinal series with the Lady Eagles Wednesday in the Shakey’s V-League Season 12-Collegiate Conference at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

Pulling off a feat no other team in the conference had accomplished, the Tigresses dealt the first defeat of the Lady Eagles after 10 games on Sunday and forced their best-of-three to a decider.

“I always tell them that as long as they believe in themselves, they will always have a chance even against top teams like Ateneo,” said UST coach Kungfu Reyes in Filipino.

EJ Laure joined forces with skipper Pam Lastimosa, Carmela Tunay, Marivic Meneses and Jessey De Leon as UST, the league’s winningest team with six championships, banked on encompassing court coverage and superior blocking.

“If we could only play as tough as we did, we have a chance to beat them,” said Reyes after beating the Lady Eagles, 18-25, 25-16, 25-23, 25-22, to level the series.

The winner of the 4 p.m. match will advance to a best-of-three finale with second seed National University.

With Myla Pablo and Jaja Santiago imposing their will, the Lady Bulldogs swept Far Eastern U, 20-25, 25-13, 25-21, 25-16, in two games.

Though Ateneo’s offensive might is still anchored on Alyssa Valdez, the Eagles should usher in key adjustments to prevent a similar collapse in Game 2.

Ateneo coach Tai Bundit left the venue in a huff after Tunay finished them off with a kill that doomed the Eagles for good.