UST TIGRESSES BACK IN THE FINAL FOUR, AIM TO BEAT SECOND-SEEDED DLSU
By Maxine Louise Lagman
21 April 2017
AFTER an emotional win last April 8 against the National University, the University of Santo Tomas clawed their way back into the Final Four after a four-year drought. Now, they will have to defeat the defending champions De La Salle University in the first semifinal series in the hopes to claim the title.
La Salle have a twice-to-beat advantage, from which UST will have to defeat them in their first game on Saturday to hopefully have a deciding game and win the do-or-die match on April 26 at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Looking back at the elimination round, the Lady Spikers defeated the Tigresses twice, 2-0, in a four-set match in the first round, 25-23, 16-25, 25-14, 25-22 and a hard-fought match in the second round, 25-23, 25-22, 25-21.
However, the Golden Tigresses cannot be tamed from pursuing their goal. From a bad start in the competition, they were able to turn the tables around and closed the elimination round with a 9-5 win-loss record, making it into the number three seed in the tournament.
“My team is a Final Four team, so we have to take the next step, we won’t settle for the Final Four,” said UST Coach Kung Fu Reyes in an interview after their game against NU.
With the Sisi Rondina and EJ Laure tandem, the Tigresses are fueled by these top attackers in the competition. They were the top contributors for UST, especially on their last game against NU, with a total of 44 points.
Former Team B player, Dimdim Pacres, also served as a high contributor for the Tigresses, followed by sophomore Tin Francisco, who exploded 11 points behind Rondina and Laure on their match against NU. Former best blocker, Ria Meneses also proved once again that no other attack from the opposing team would come through her blocks easily, protecting the UST squad from bleeding.
“Our first aim was to make it to the Final Four. Now that we are here, we will dream bigger. But, we will work hard for that,” said team captain Rondina.
The UST Golden Tigresses would have to improve their receiving end and their blocking skills if they want to defeat the DLSU Lady Spikers. UST fell from the statistics posted by ABS-CBN, marking UST on the 7th place in terms of ball reception and blocking. While DLSU proves to be number one in both areas.
But UST continues to soar in the digging area and second best in attacks. While La Salle stays at number 5 in digging and third in spiking.
More than skills, what UST needs to defeat the defending champions is a focused mindset, and the will and driving force to overcome a storm of archers.
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