UST seeks repeat over FEU in chase for Final Four bonus

UST Golden Tigresses celebrate during a victory over FEU Lady Tamaraws in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

University of Santo Tomas and Far Eastern University renew their rivalry on Saturday in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament, with both sides wanting to prove something to themselves as far as their clash in the first round went.

The Golden Tigresses swept the first round of the eliminations after coming back from two sets down to pull out a 22-25, 21-25, 25-23, 25-20, 15-7 win against the Lady Tamaraws last March 3, thanks in part to a rabbit in Xyza Gula that coach KungFu Reyes pulled out of his hat when the going was at its toughest.

Simply put, Santo Tomas would want a more comprehensive win this time—just to say that it wasn’t a fluke—which would also shove the Tigresses nearer to a twice-to-beat edge in the Final Four.

READ: UAAP: UST coach says Angge Poyos still ‘not 100 percent’

For the Lady Tamaraws, getting back at the Tigresses would be sweet, for that it won’t only ease the pain of that first round loss a bit, but would give Far Eastern the last spot semifinal ticket.

“We’re hungry to really get back at them,” Far Eastern coach Manolo Refugia said in Filipino of their 4 p.m. clash at Ninoy Aquino Stadium. “It was really painful, that loss. Really heartbreaking because we were two sets ahead.”

Poyos returns

Gula went unchecked since she made an appearance in the third set, finishing with 14 points to resuscitate the Santo Tomas offense.

Things have returned to normal as far as the Tigresses are concerned, with Angge Poyos, the prolific rookie, assuming the top gun’s role after that. And although she missed a four-set win over University of the Philippines a few days back, the leading Rookie of the Year-Most Valuable Playercandidate is set for a return against the Lady Tams.

Meanwhile, ousted Adamson and University of the Philippines play for pride in the 2 p.m. game.

READ: As UAAP Final Four beckons, UST taking it one game at a time

Jonna Perdido and Regina Jurado carried the fight for the Tigresses against the Fighting Lady Maroons, of course with a lot of help coming from setter Cassie Carballo.

And playing for bigger stakes from hereon with just three games left in their schedule, Reyes knows the importance of this match.

“Of course they would want to win [against us] to prove something to themselves and also make the top four,” Reyes said, also in Filipino. “It’s an old rivalry and I am sure it will be neck and neck and nail-biting.”

Santo Tomas won its first eight games and booked a semifinal seat ahead of everyone else here. The only blemish in their record after 11 games coming at the hands of the National University Bulldogs and Bella Belen two weeks ago.

Winning again

It was a wake-up call that the Tigresses needed, as they went back to the nitty-gritty of things to right the ship and carve out another winning streak heading into the most critical juncture of the elimination round.

Still left for them is a clash with defending champion La Salle to end classification.

The Lady Spikers, who are at 9-1, have been without Angel Canino in their last two games where they were forced to dig in the trenches.

La Salle battles Belen and the Bulldogs on Sunday at Mall of Asia Arena, and a National U win—which could be its first in their last six clashes—will definitely muddle up the top two race for Final Four bonuses.

And a repeat over the Lady Tamaraws could certainly afford the Tigresses the opportunity to stay out of that complicated situation.