The UST Golden Tigresses regained their bearings after squandering an early 2-0 lead as they took a thrilling five-set win over defending champions DLSU Lady Spikers, 25-18, 25-23, 14-25, 16-25, 15-12, in UAAP Season 86 at the Mall of Asia Arena Sunday evening.
Down 9-12 in the fifth set decider, the España-based squad scored six straight points to pull the rug from under Angel Canino and La Salle who stormed back from a 0-2 hole to force the winner-take-all canto.
Things looked in peril for UST multiple times in Set 5 when La Salle took sizable leads. First, La Salle zoomed to an early 7-3 lead off of a Canino down the line hit.
They then came close to closing out UST late with a 12-9 advantage after a Julyana Tolentino 1-2 play.
But Angge Poyos sparked a comeback with a through the block hit that started UST’s run, 10-12.
Margaret Banagua provided the finishing kick with a dump to complete the furious 6-0 run, 15-12.
It was a game to remember for Jonna Perdido, who claimed Player of the Game honors with 24 points. Poyos also breached the 20-point mark with 22 markers.
They were thus the first to blemish the Lady Spikers’ record for the season as they slid to 2-1. UST, meanwhile, are at 3-0.
Canino led La Salle in the losing effort with 28 points.
