THE UST Golden Tigresses claimed the last twice-to-beat incentive in the Final Four of the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball eliminations on Saturday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
UST outclassed the defending champions DLSU Lady Spikers in a four-setter clash, 22-25, 25-23, 25-16, 25-15, locking the tournament’s second seed with a 12-2 win-loss slate.
Meanwhile, DLSU dropped to third place with an 11-3 record.
With the second twice-to-beat advantage still up for grabs, the two squads came out firing on all cylinders, as the first set reached a deadlock of 21-all to kick things off.
An off-the-block hit from reigning rookie-MVP Angel Canino, who missed five games due to a minor injury, opened the gates for opposite hitter Shevana Laput to launch three kills for the Lady Spikers and take the first set, 25-22.
Tigress hotshot Angge Poyos came alive in the tighter second salvo, slapping back-to-back kills to give UST a three-point edge, 20-17. Poyos then closed out the set with an off-the-block hit to tie the match at one set apiece, 25-23.
UST mounted a 5-0 run in the third set, capped by a kill from opposite spiker Reg Jurado. DLSU regrouped initially after middle blocker Amie Provido provided a well-timed block, 7-6.
However, the Tigresses maintained their composure and went on to take an 18-10 cushion. Outside spiker Xyza Gula handed UST the third set after an ace, 25-16.
The España-based squad displayed its prowess in the fourth frame after dismantling the Taft squad with a dominant 15-5 blitz spearheaded by Tigress spikers Poyos and Jonna Perdido.
Gula then delivered another timely ace to lead UST to a 25-15 victory.
“All the hard work has paid off… but we still have a lot to improve,” Poyos told The Flame after being showered with resounding “MVP” chants throughout the coliseum.
“There are no expectations… What is important to me is winning the championship this season,” she added.
Poyos led the way for UST with 22 points built on 18 attacks, three blocks and an ace. Meanwhile, lefty power spiker Perdido, who was named Player of the Game in two affairs against DLSU this season, unleashed 18 kills and an ace.
Laput led DLSU with a game-high 26 points on 23 attacks, a pair of aces and a block. After missing five games due to an arm injury, Canino managed to contribute 13 kills.
The Golden Tigresses will have a twice-to-beat advantage as they slug it out with the Lady Spikers in a best-of-three semifinal series, whose dates have yet to be announced. F
