By ADRIAN STEWART CO
The University of Santo Tomas (UST) Golden Tigresses dethroned the De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Spikers with a 25-20, 16-25, 25-20, 19-25, 15-7 victory in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball semifinals at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Sunday, May 5.
Angeline Poyos spearheaded the offense with 28 points, built on 25 attacks, two service aces and a block, as the Golden Tigresses made their way to the UAAP finals for the first time since Season 81.
“Sobrang saya dahil rookie year ko pa lang nakapasok na agad ako sa finals,” Poyos said.
“Bumalik lang kami sa sistema, ‘yun lang ang pinaghahawakan namin para makuha ‘yung panalo,” she added.
After failing to close out the Lady Spikers in the fourth set, the Golden Tigresses broke a three-all deadlock in the fifth frame with six straight points from Poyos and Margaret Banagua to take a 9-3 lead.
The Lady Spikers tried to keep the match close at 5-9, but the Golden Tigresses responded with a 6-2 finishing run, capped by a service ace from Negrense Cassie Carballo, to secure the championship spot.
Jonna Perdido chipped in 17 points, including 15 attacks; Carballo ended up with 18 excellent sets to go with five points; and Bernadett Pepito tallied 18 excellent digs and 16 excellent receptions for UST.
“Sinimulan lang namin sa communication nung fifth set, ‘yun ang importante kasi last set na, and ‘yun pukpok lang ng pukpok kasi ‘yun ang sabi sa amin ng coaches,” Poyos said.
Shevana Laput led the way with 20 points, Thea Gagate played her final game with the Lady Spikers with 16 points, including six blocks, while Negrense Angel Canino ended up with 14 points, 12 digs and eight receptions.
The Golden Tigresses will face the winner of the National University Lady Bulldogs-Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws do-or-die semifinals game in a best-of-three title series.
The Lady Tamaraws kept their championship aspirations alive after a 25-23, 25-17, 25-23 victory over the twice-to-beat holder Lady Bulldogs at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last May 4./ASC, WDJ