UST bolsters Final 4 bid, blasts FEU

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

University of Santo Tomas kept its Final Four bid roaring after dispensing Far Eastern University, 17-25, 25-17, 26-24, 25-21, in the UAAP Season 79 women’s volleyball Saturday tournament at Filoil Flying V Centre.

The Golden Tigresses improved to 7-4, overtaking National U based on points, to keep their place in the upper half of the ladder while the Lady Tamaraws slipped to 5-6 and stayed at the sixth spot in the ladder.

UST held a 24-15 lead in the fourth set but the Lady Tamaraws managed to score six unanswered points to force head coach Kung Fu Reyes to call two of their final timeouts.

EJ Laure would then quell FEU’s hopes of a comeback and fired away a kill to seal the Golden Tigresses’ victory.

“We still lack that closing instinct, although we were in control but it’s bad to look at when we lose five points in the end game,” said Reyes. “It’s a huge disadvantage for us if we can’t close games out, we were already at match point but FEU still scored.”

Laure would finish with 20 points to lead UST while Cherry Rondina added 15.

Bernadeth Pons led FEU with 17 points while Toni Rose Basas added 13.