By ADRIAN STEWART CO
The University of Santo Tomas (UST) Golden Tigresses averted a massive collapse to pull off a 25-18, 25-23, 14-25, 16-25, 15-12 stunner against the De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Spikers in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Sunday night, February 25.
After winning the first two sets convincingly, the Golden Tigresses suffered a huge melt down in the third and fourth set before suddenly finding themselves down, 9-12, in the fifth set.
Angeline Poyos then stepped up for the Golden Tigresses with an off-the-block hit, followed by a quick hit from Margaret Banagua and another crosscourt attack from Poyos to force a deadlock at 12-all.
The Golden Tigresses took the lead at 13-12 on an error by Lady Spikers’ Thea Gagate before she completed the stunner with a service ace from Negrense Cassie Carballo and a block from Banagua.
Jonna Perdido waxed hot in the first two sets to end up with a career-high of 24 points, built on 21 attacks and three blocks, to be named Player of the Game for the Golden Tigresses.
Poyos chipped in 22 points, on 20 attacks, one block and a service ace, while Banagua contributed 11 markers for the Golden Tigresses, which now clings to solo first place with a 3-0 record.
Bacolodnon Angel Anne Canino top-scored for the defending champion Lady Spikers with 28 points, Ilongga Amie Provido added 11 markers, while Alleiah Malaluan and Baby Jyne Soreno contributed 10 points each. They dropped to 2-1.
Meanwhile, the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws relied on their experience in the fifth set to secure a victory over rookie-laden University of the East Lady Warriors, 22-25, 25-17, 25-18, 25-27, 15-11.
Gerzel Petallo led the way for the Lady Tamaraws with 18 points to go with nine digs and nine receptions, Chenie Tagaod finished with 16 points, while Faida Bakanke added 14 points in the victory.
The triumph propelled the Lady Tamaraws to a 2-1 record to a tie with the Lady Spikers, while the Lady Warriors suffered their second consecutive loss, settling for a 1-2 card./ASC, WDJ