MANILA – University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses completed the UAAP Season 85 Women’s Volleyball Final Four cast by beating Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws, 26-24, 22-25, 25-16, 25-23 on Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Ejiya Laure erupted for 28 points on 23-of-47 attacks to go with three service aces, two blocks, as well as eight excellent digs as the Golden Tigresses improved to 9-3 win-loss slate.
Imee Hernandez chipped in 19 points while libero Bernadett Pepito tallied double-double 21 excellent digs and 19 excellent receptions to be hailed as Player of the Game for the Golden Tigresses.
Currently tied with National University Lady Bulldogs, UST will face the defending champions on Wednesday in a big match-up for the remaining twice-to-beat slot in the Final Four.
After being foiled in the second set, the Golden Tigresses pulled away from a close count of 10-9 from the Lady Tamaraws in the third set with nine straight points to move a set away from the win, 25-16.
The Lady Tamaraws regained their form in the fourth period though, as they even took a 17-14 lead, but Hernandez, Laure, and Jonna Perdido combined for five unanswered points to shift the momentum back to UST at 17-17.
With the Golden Tigresses already at match point, 24-21, FEU’s Alyzza Devosora got a point off an off-speed hit before Janna Torres’ attempt went long to inch within one, 24-23, but Laure delivered an off-the-block kill to finish the match for UST.
Mitzi Panangin finished with 12 points, while Gerzel Petallo had 11 points, 19 receptions, and five digs as the Lady Tamaraws waved goodbye to their semis hopes after slipping to 6-7.
Meanwhile, De La Salle University Lady Spikers asserted its dominance over archrival Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles with a 25-22, 25-19, 25-18 straight set domination.
The Lady Spikers improved to a 12-1 record with the victory to secure pole position heading to the Final Four, while the Blue Eagles fell to sixth place with a 4-9 win-loss record.
Shevana Laput scored a new career-high of 16 points with an impressive 15-of-25 attack rate, while Angel Canino provided backup with 13 points, 11 excellent receptions, and five digs for DLSU./PN
