UST Tigresses back in UAAP volleyball Finals after dethroning La Salle

University of Santo Tomas didn’t come this far just to see a rare opportunity fritter away.

Aware that a twice-to-beat edge cannot be toyed with, the Tigresses pulled off an anxiety-filled 25-20, 16-25, 25-20, 19-25, 15-7 win over the La Salle Lady Spikers in a return trip to the Finals at the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament on Sunday night.

Angeline Poyos exploded with 28 points built around 25 attacks and Jonah Perdido contributed 18 as the Tigresses ended the reign of their rivals for a chance to capture the crown that eluded them five seasons ago.

UAAP SCHEDULE: Season 86 volleyball Final Four

“This is the dividend that we earned from all the hard work,’’ said UST coach Kungfu Reyes after exacting revenge against the Lady Spikers who booted them out in a reverse setting in the Final Four last season.

Cassie Carballo put order on the UST floor by tossing 18 excellent sets while Detdet Pepito protected them from vicious attacks from the other end with 18 digs and 16 receptions.

“The feeling is unbelievable. I’m very honored to be captain of this promising team. We worked hard for every point and it bore fruit,’’ said Pepito.

The Tigresses will meet the survivor of the National University-Far Eastern University clash on Wednesday after the Lady Tamaraws stretched their semifinal to the limit.

They nearly seized the title in 2019 but got clipped by the Ateneo Blue Eagles in three games. Now, the opportunity to win another championship since 2010 has presented itself for the Tigresses.

While the Lady Spikers were a little bit shaky, the UST offense was well-oiled in the first set as Poyos and Perdido alternated in attacking the La Salle floor along with Jurado.

Perdido’s block on the much taller Thea Gagate and Jurado’s cut shot put them in a favorable position, 11-6, and amazingly took control from there.

Em Banagua was momentarily pulled out with UST still leading by five after straining her left knee anew, an injury that sidelined the middle blocker for most of the second round.

READ: Behind UST’s unbeaten start in UAAP volleyball: The ‘fantastic’ coaching staff

The Tigresses briefly allowed a 4-0 run by their rivals, but a Perdido crosscourt strike found a lonely space between two defenders before Poyos cleaned it up with an off-the-block smash in front of Julyana Tolentino.

Pulled off the bench, Jyne Soreno energized the Lady Spikers, pouring most of her hits in a 10-0 blistering rally that propelled them to equalize after two sets.

With majority of her points coming from blocks, Soreno conspired with Gagate in shutting down UST’s firepower, making the left pin impenetrable where Poyos and Perdido were situated at the net.

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WATCH: Reg Jurado, Angge Poyos, Jonna Perdido, Detdet Pepito, and Cassie Carballo share their thoughts after reaching the finals. #UAAPSeason86 | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/eXad2A9cEN

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Shevana Laput then widened the gap with a flush and ended the set with a crosscourt bomb, made easier by the errors of Bianca Plaza and Renee Penafiel.

It was a fierce, emotional roller-coaster in the third set, but the Tigresses managed to come out unscathed with Cassie Carballo presiding over simple plays that worked in favor of Poyos and Jurado.

Angel Canino tied the count at 19 with an off-speed spike but erred in the ensuing sequence, allowing a perfectly timed rally that the Tigresses exploited.

Jurado cashed in on a combination pattern and followed it up with a piercing crosscourt blow, after which Poyos again took over with successive off-the-block attacks punctuated by an ace.

Laput maximized her 6-foot-2 length to the hilt, towering above the blockers in a dazzling La Salle breakaway in the fourth set.

Laput found the back row twice with timely hits from the middle and added an off-speed attack that created the distance the Lady Spikers needed.

Canino and Soreno sustained the efforts of Laput by knocking down sharp down-the-line spikes as they kept the Tigresses out of reach.

Poyos then committed two quick attack errors and Gagate saw another open space at set point, pushing the encounter to the limit.

Flipping the script

But the Tigresses couldn’t be denied, extinguishing whatever fire the Lady Spikers had in them in the final set with Poyos showcasing her super rookie tag in a collective effort with Jurado, Banagua and Carballo.

Poyos unleashed a down-the-line hit that kicked off a 6-0 run capped by a Banagua power tip.

Amie Provido stopped La Salle’s bleeding with a quick swipe, but Poyos and Banagua were joined by Perdido in closing out the defending champions.

Carballo had 26 aces so far in the tournament, but her last one was the most important at match point.

“When I entered the court, I was reminded that it was also on May 5 that we won in the Final Four and entered the Finals five years ago. This time, we intend to change the result,’’ said Reyes.

Laput led the Lady Spikers with 20 points while Gagate had 16 on top of six blocks and Canino added 12 attacks out for 14 points but these heroics weren’t enough for them remain on course for a repeat act in the finals.