University of Santo Tomas is finally back in the UAAP women’s volleyball Finals.
This, after the Golden Tigresses defeated De La Salle University, 25-20, 16-25, 25-20, 19-25, 15-7, during their Season 86 Final Four clash in front of 19,505 fans on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Angge Poyos headed the España-based hitters’ charge as the super rookie delivered 28 points that were built on 25 attacks, two aces, and a block, and she also tallied nine receptions and six digs.
“Sobrang saya po talaga ngayon,” said the Season 86 Rookie of the Year frontrunner following their win. “Speechless talaga ako na nakuha namin yung panalo ngayong araw. Ayun nga, grateful kasi nagtrabaho kami lahat, nagtulungan kaming lahat, and ayun nga, sinumulan namin ng maganda itong season na ‘to. I hope, matapos namin ng maganda,” she continued.
Also contributing to their victory were Jonna Perdido who finished with 18 points, 12 receptions, and six digs, Bianca Plaza and Reg Jurado who each poured in seven, Cassie Carballo’s six markers and 8 excellent sets, and Detdet Pepito who had an 18-dig, 16-reception performance.
Tied at two sets apiece as both squads flexed their might in the first four sets, the hungry Tigresses went on a 9-to-3 start in the decider, Poyos, Carballo, and Banagua rallying UST.
Shevana Laput and Amie Provido brought some life for the defending champions and tried to jumpstart one last push for La Salle as their efforts allowed the Taft-based team to as close as four, 9-5, but what followed crumbled DLSU.
Poyos and Banagua exchanged hits to re-establish a five-point lead, while a Perdido hit and a service error from Provido put out the fire that Laput’s kill tried to reignite for La Salle.
Carballo then went on to deliver the dagger to the champions’ hearts with a service ace, and that proved to be enough for the Thomasians to not only return to the Finals but also tally their third win over DLSU this year in as many games.
This is the first time since Season 81 in 2019 that the Golden Tigresses will be entering the championship round. Coincidentally, exactly five years ago today, UST also eliminated and dethroned La Salle during that season’s Final Four to clinch their spot in the Finals.
The Tigresses, however, encountered Ateneo de Manila University in the championship round and stumbled upon a Blue Eagles squad who eventually won the Season 81 title in three games.
UST will now be awaiting the winner of the Final Four bout between National University and Far Eastern University who will be concluding their semis series on Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
Meanwhile, the Ramil De Jesus-coached team were led by Laput’s 20 points and 10 digs, the outgoing Thea Gagate’s 16, Angel Canino’s 14 points, 12 digs, and seven receptions, Baby Jyne Soreño’s 11, Provido’s nine, and Julyana Tolentino’s nine excellent sets.
