Eyes on the prize: Final Four return just first step to ultimate goal for Tigresses

MANILA, Philippines—University of Santo Tomas has been known as one of the most formidable volleyball programs in the UAAP with 15 women’s titles including seven straight from 1985 to 1991.

The Golden Tigresses stayed as one of the most respected teams in the league after a ridiculous title run winning two titles in the 2000s despite the rise of De La Salle during the decade with the Lady Spikers five championships from 2000 to 2009.

Then disaster struck as UST failed to replicate its former glory, even missing the Final Four in five of the past six seasons.

But things are starting to turn around for the Golden Tigresses.

UST locked up the second seed in the Season 81 tournament after overcoming La Salle, 25-14, 25-23, 23-25, 25-19, in the playoff for the no.2 seed heading into the Final Four.

Fifth year libero Rica Rivera said her team’s charge to the Final Four is a display that UST is still a force to be reckoned with in the UAAP.

“This is part of our team’s legacy because this Final Four appearance is our way of giving back to UST,” said Rivera, who had 11 excellent digs in the two closing sets against the Lady Spikers, in Filipino Wednesday.

“This is a huge way for us to lift the team back up and to show what UST really is in the UAAP.”

The Golden Tigresses last won the title in 2010 and Rivera and her teammates are adamant of breaking that streak.

“This is just part of our goal and of course the next one is the championship,” said Rivera.