MANILA – University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses survived a tough University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons’ stand for a 27-25, 26-28, 25-18, 22-25, 17-15 win in the 2022 Shakey’s Super League quarterfinals on Sunday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
Xyza Gula and Regina Jurado tallied 20 markers apiece, while fellow rookies Pierre Abellana and Athena Abbu also made their presence felt. The Golden Tigresses advanced to the semifinals against National University Lady Bulldogs, which dispatched Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws in their series.
After failing to close out the Fighting Maroons in the fourth set, the Golden Tigresses struggled to start the decider before surging to a 10-8 advantage on consecutive points by Gula, Jurado and Abellana.
Three consecutive points by Abellana pushed the Golden Tigresses to match point at 14-12 but the Fighting Maroons answered back with attacks from Ethan Arce and Jewel Encarnation for a 15-all score.
Gula moved the Golden Tigresses closer to victory anew as she elevated for an attack before Jurado ended the contest with a hammer hit over the outstretched defense of the Fighting Maroons.
Talisaynon Alyssa Bertolano led the way with 18 points, while fellow former Bacolod Tay Tung High School Thunderbolts standout Joan Marie Monares chipped in 14 markers as the Fighting Maroons were relegated to the classification round.
De La Salle University Lady Spikers also grabbed a semifinals seat after a clinical dismantling of archrival Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles, 25-17, 25-23, 25-10, in their separate knockout quarterfinals encounter.
Bacolodnon Angel Canino showed the way with 19 points including the finishing blows to close all three sets, as the Lady Spikers set up a semifinals showdown with Adamson University Lady Falcons, which ousted University of Perpetual Help Lady Altas.
The Lady Spikers took the fight out of the Blue Eagles early in the third set by clogging the net to frustrate Ateneo’s hitters. The Lady Spikers blew the frame wide open with an 8-2 run for a 21-9 advantage.
Faith Nisperos tried to bring a spark of hope to the Blue Eagles with a crosscourt kill but teammate Makana Kowalski was whistled for double contact in the next play before Canino iced the match with an attack point./PN
