UST seeks Shakey’s V-League semifinal playoff vs UP

UST’s EJ Laure. Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

University of Santo Tomas guns for win No. 4 and  a semifinal playoff berth when it takes on University of the Philippines at 6 p.m. Monday in the Shakey’s V-League Reinforced Conference at Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

The Tigresses, playing without foreign reinforcements, are riding on a three-game run, beating Air Force, Coast Guard and import-laden Bali Pure Water.

Asian club championship veteran EJ Laure took charge in all those wins, including last Saturday when she exploded with 23 points as the Tigresses prevailed,  21-25, 25-21, 25-23, 25-13.

UST’s victory also relegated to the sidelines the 25-point output of Kathy Morrel for BaliPure Water.

Laure is backstopped by a fiery support crew in Carla Sandoval, Pam Lastimosa, Marivic Meneses and Chloe Cortez.

Making things scarier for the Lady Maroons is the fact that another Santo Tomas vital cog, Cherry Rondina, is also expected to suit up.

Pocari Sweat hopes to bounce back from first-game defeat when it battles Coast Guard in the other V-League game at 4 p.m.

In the Spikers’ Turf men’s division, Cignal and Air Force clash at 12:30 p.m. in what is seen as a finals preview.

On Saturday, Instituto Estetico Manila outlasted Champion Supra, 20-25, 25-23, 25-23, 22-25, 15-10, for an even 1-1 card.

Jason Canlas and Edan Canlas took charge in the decider as the Phoenix Volley Masters broke loose from a tight duel  that had eighth deadlocks, seizing the lead for good, 14-9.