UST stops 5-game skid at expense of UP, fans Final Four hopes

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

University of Santo Tomas broke its five-game downward spiral and overcame University of the Philippines, 19-25, 30-28, 25-20, 25-16, in the UAAP Season 80 women’s volleyball tournament Saturday at Filoil Flying V Centre.

The Golden Tigresses also got a new breath of life in their race for a Final Four spot as they improved to 3-7 while the Lady Maroons dropped to the same record after losing their third game in four outings.

UST head coach Kung Fu Reyes said this win was the outcome they had been waited for after suffering an “uncharacteristic” five-game losing streak.

“This was what he have been fixing for the longest time, not only individually but also as a whole team,” said Reyes in Filipino. “We’ve been beaten so bad now it’s time for us to get back on our feet.”

“We fought to get back up and now that we’re here the most important thing is to how we’ll recover from the losing streak. This is what all the people have been waiting for, we will get back up and awaken the spirit of a Thomasian.”

UST started off hot in the fourth set as it took an 8-2 lead, and although UP managed to trim the lead to, 10-7, all the Golden Tigresses had to do was put on a methodical display to keep the Lady Maroons at bay.

Cherry Rondina gave UST a 14-8 lead with a desperation kill after both the reception and set didn’t go in textbook fashion, then rookie Milena Alessandrini increased the Golden Tigresses’ lead to 16-9 with an off-the-block kill that bounced off Jessma Ramos.

Alina Bicar’s service then put UST at the 24-16 match point before Alessandrini broke through UP’s guard to the Golden Tigresses’ winner.

Rondina led all scorers with 25 points while Alessandrini added 20 for the Golden Tigresses.

Diana Carlos put up 24 points to lead UP with Isa Molde complementing their offense with 18 points.