MANILA, Philippines — University of Santo Tomas completed an all UAAP final four crew after eliminating Perpetual Help, 21-25, 25-18, 25-22, 19-25, 15-11, Thursday in the 10th Shakey’s V-League playoffs at the Arena in San Juan.
The Tigresses took control in the fifth set with Maika Ortiz, Carmela Tunay and guest player Aiza Maizo leading the way to oust the tough Lady Altas.
Back-to-back kills from Maizo and Tunay clinched it for UST, which started the final set strong and ended the game even stronger with Perpetual Help threatening to storm back.
UST faces Ateneo in the semifinals which starts next Tuesday at the Philsports Arena, while Adamson and National University square off in the other final four match up.
Ortiz sizzled with 23 points, all but two from blocks while the rest are off kills. Maizo added 12 points, Jessey De Leon 10, while Tunay and Pam Lastimosa with 10 each.
Guest player Joy Cases finished with a team-best 17 points, while Honey Rose Tubino — who worked to keep the Lady Altas in striking distance in the fifth set added 16.
The NCAA women’s volleyball champions dominated the Tigresses in the fourth set to even the game, but lacked the needed effort in the fifth.