Twice to beat or not, Tigresses ready for tough showdown vs Lady Spikers

MANILA, Philippines—University of Santo Tomas is heading into its first Final Four in three years, and against the defending champion at that, but head coach Kung Fu Reyes isn’t letting that inexperience get in his team’s way.

The Golden Tigresses will enter a potential semifinals matchup against De La Salle and Reyes is already eyeing a firework of a series in the Final Four.

“It’s a pleasure with us to play with the defending champions,” said Reyes after his Golden Tigresses wrapped up their elimination round with a four-set win over National University, 27-25, 25-17, 20-25, 25-16, Saturday at Filoil Flying V Center.

“We were 1-1 during the season so we’ll know who is the better team once and for all in the semifinals,” added Reyes.

The Golden Tigresses took first blood in the season series with a sweep 25-20, 25-22, 25-17 but La Salle got retribution in the second round, 21-25, 25-23, 25-19, 26-24.

UST finished the season as the third seed at 10-4 but could become the no.2 team if the Lady Spikers, 10-3, lose their final elimination game against Far Eastern University and lose the second-place playoff against the Golden Tigresses.

Nevertheless, Reyes isn’t looking at that twice-to-beat advantage.

“We’re going to fight, regardless of what the outcome is what’s important for us is we got to secure our 10th win,” said Reyes. “This will be another story for us, this will be a different trend, this will be a different fight.”

“If they [the Lady Spikers] get the twice-to-beat so be it. We’ll work in the Final Four.”