Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
University of Santo Tomas was poised for one glorious upset when the Golden Tigresses took a 2-0 set lead over National University.
Disaster, however, struck UST and the Lady Bulldogs clawed back and forced a fifth set.
UST head coach Kungfu Reyes had to think fast after NU got an 11-6 lead.
During one timeout in the fifth set he didn’t map out any play, opting to give one instruction to his wards instead.
“My last thing I told them was “Are we just going to crawl or are we going to rise?” Reyes said.
Luckily for him, the Golden Tigresses heeded his plea.
Chloe Cortez came through in the clutch to tie the set at 12-12. An NU error followed from Jorelle Singh then, UST’s defense held up to deliver the final two points for the win.
“They responded even though we were the ones catching up in the end.”
A humble victor, Reyes did not forget to give props to the Lady Bulldogs and their head coach Roger Gorayeb.
“NU and Roger Gorayeb’s players are really tough to play against.”