The UST Golden Tigresses proved that history means little in knockout games, flipping the script on the Adamson Lady Falcons with a dominant 25-16, 25-18, 25-19 victory to advance in the UAAP Season 88 Women’s Volleyball Tournament stepladder at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
After getting swept by Adamson in both elimination-round meetings, UST delivered its most complete performance of the season when it mattered most to eliminate the Lady Falcons in straight sets.
“Credit sa players namin. Grabe ‘yung effort na ginawa. Actually, hindi naman todo-todo ‘yung training pero mas inaral lang kung ano ‘yung tamang galaw, mas nagkaroon ng communication, saka ‘yung effort na mag-all-out sa game,” said Golden Tigresses head coach Shaq Delos Santos.
UST Rising in Pressure Situations
The win marked UST’s second straight do-or-die triumph, following its playoff victory over the FEU Lady Tamaraws for the last Final Four berth.
This time, the Golden Tigresses wasted no time asserting control.
After a tight opening stretch in the second set, UST turned a slim 13-12 deficit into a commanding 20-12 lead behind a scoring burst from Angge Poyos and Regina Jurado. The momentum carried over into the third frame, where another mid-set surge fueled by Jurado, Avril Bron, and Adamson errors sealed the match in just 82 minutes.
Poyos led the charge with 17 points, while Jurado backed her up with 13 points and 14 excellent digs. Jonna Perdido added 10 points, while Bron chipped in 7 markers.
Defense Is Rock-Solid
On the defensive end, team captain Detdet Pepito anchored UST with 16 excellent digs and 9 receptions, while setter Cassie Carballo recorded 10 excellent sets.
The Golden Tigresses also did a number on Adamson’s top scorers, limiting presumptive MVP Shaina Nitura to 13 points on an inefficient outing, while Frances Mordi was held to 11 markers.
With the win, the Golden Tigresses move on to face defending champion National University in another do-or-die clash, with a Finals berth on the line on Saturday, May 2, 3:00 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
