UAAP: NU ousts UST, sets up women’s Finals clash vs La Salle

Lams Lamina and Vangie Alinsug celebrate a point during a game between NU Lady Bulldogs and UST Golden Tigresses in the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball stepladder semifinals. –UAAP PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—National University marched to the UAAP Finals for the fifth straight season and kept its three-peat bid alive after defeating University of Santo Tomas in the Season 88 stepladder semifinals, 20-25, 26-24, 26-24, 25-21, at Smart Araneta Coliseum on Saturday.

After fumbling the opening set, the Lady Bulldogs responded with three straight to set up another Finals showdown with unbeaten La Salle Lady Archers.

“I trusted all the players, not just the stars,” coach Regine Diego said. “We have a lot of players who are capable inside so we’re grateful. Hopefully, we get to use that in the championship.”

NU trailed 18-14 in the fourth set before showing its championship grit and unleashing a decisive 10-1 run to reach match point, 24-19.

Alexa Mata celebrates a point during a game between NU Lady Bulldogs and UST Golden Tigresses in the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball stepladder semifinals. –UAAP PHOTO

The Golden Tigresses still had some fight left in them and turned to Angge Poyos and Regine Jurado for back-to-back kills to trim the deficit to 24-21.

When UST looked for Poyos again, though, Alexa Mata blocked Poyos’ kill attempt and sealed the victory for the Lady Bulldogs.

Arah Panique led NU with 23 points built on 21 attacks and two blocks. Vange Alinsug and Chamy Maaya helped the cause with 18 and 14, respectively, while Lams Lamina turned in 34 excellent sets.

Jurado and Poyos paced UST, seeded fourth and thwarted No. 3 Adamson in the stepladder semifinals, with 19 and 16 points, respectively. Detdet Pepito marked her swang song in the UAAP with 23 receptions.

NU will face La Salle, which swept the elimination round for an outright Finals berth, in the best-of-three championship series.

The last time both schools went head-to-head in a Finals stage, Bella Belen powered NU to a dominant sweep and the Season 87 title.

Game 1 of the best-of-three affair is on Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena.