UST Tigresses stun defending champion La Salle in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament. –UAAP PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines–University of Santo Tomas rode a late rally in the fifth set to slay defending champion La Salle and remain perfect in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament.
The Golden Tigresses, who improved to a 3-0 win-loss record, erased the invincible image of the Lady Spikers with a 25-18, 25-23, 14-25, 16-25, 15-12 victory on Saturday at Mall of Asia Arena.
Despite losing steam after a strong performance in the first two sets, UST did not give up hope and clawed back from being three points down in the final frame.
SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 86 volleyball first round
The Golden Tigresses scored six straight points from being 12-9 down, focusing on their defense down the stretch while Margaret Banagua and rookie Angeline Poyos spearheaded the UST to comeback.
“My advice to them (Tigresses) was we may lose a point, a set, but we cannot lose our character because yun yung nagdadala samin,” coach Kung Fu Reyes said in Filipino after UST shrugged off its midgame hiccup.
UST Tigresses’ Jonna Perdido. –UAAP PHOTO
Jonna Perdido delivered her best performance yet, leading UST with 24 points built on 21 attacks and three blocks while adding five excellent receptions.
Poyos continued her excellent play after finishing with 22 points all but one from kills while Banagua, who scored the match point with a smart placement dump, added 11 points including two blocks.
“During the fifth set, I told them that we don’t have a sixth set, we are doomed if we lose this,” Reyes added.
Former Rookie of the Year-Most Valuable Player Angel Canino, who matched her career-high of 28 points, led the resurgence of La Salle in the third set.
Banagua wins it for UST! #UAAPSeason86 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/1XI8gSfJiD
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) February 25, 2024
Jyne Soreno, Alleiah Malaluan, Thea Gagate and Julyana Tolentino joined Canino in La Salle’s fourth set assault to extend the match to a deciding frame.
Canino gave UST problems in the third and fourth sets with 24 attacks and three blocks. She also had a crucial service ace in the fifth set.
La Salle looked like it was about to put a dent on UST’s winning streak after gaining an early lead in the fifth set, 7-3, before the Tigresses refocused on their goal.
Poyos nailed a game-tying cross-court kill, 12-all, before Gagate gave UST the lead with an attack error and Carballo hit an ace that put the Tigresses in a winning position, 14-12.
“We really wanted to prove something this season: that you don’t only need height to win in volleyball,” Tigresses captain Detdet Pepito said.
“For me, we showed that we have a bigger heart in this game and this season,” Pepito added after helping her squad with 12 excellent digs and 18 excellent receptions.
UST can add to its success when it meets Far Eastern University on March 3 while La Salle needs to recalibrate from the loss before facing collegiate rival Ateneo on March 2, both at Mall of Asia Arena.