By Ardyn Gonzales
There will be new champions this season as the University of Sto. Tomas Golden Tigresses dethroned the reigning champions De La Salle University Lady Spikers, 25-20, 16-25, 25-20, 19-25, 15-7, in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball Final Four, Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
In front of a 19,000-strong mammoth crowd, the Golden Tigresses scored their third win against the Lady Spikers this season, earning them the first ticket to the Finals – which they last pocketed also against La Salle exactly five years ago.
Leading rookie of the year candidate Angge Poyos led all scorers with 28 points on 25 attacks, a kill block, and two service aces for UST, while Jonna Perdido had another impressive output against La Salle with 18 markers. Team captain Detdet Pepito took care of the defense with 18 excellent digs and 16 excellent receptions.
As if it were a scripted match, UST and La Salle alternatingly won the sets before they arrived at a deciding fifth frame.
However, despite losing the fourth, it was the Golden Tigresses who were quick to recover as they escaped an early 3-all deadlock with a 6-0 run to establish a huge 9-3 advantage.
La Salle tried to catch up but UST already smelled blood, as Poyos, Em Banagua, and Cassie Carballo denied the Lady Spikers a chance for a comeback, scoring the finishing points to complete the victory.
Meanwhile, Shevana Laput carried the scoring load for La Salle with 20 points, while graduating senior Thea Gagate tallied 16 points for her last game for the Lady Spikers. La Salle will end their season as the second runner-up.
UST is just waiting for the results of the do-or-die match-up between NU and FEU to complete the Finals cast.
Featured image courtesy of UAAP
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