THE UST Golden Tigresses dug themselves a huge hole after suffering a 19-25, 23-25, 25-18, 25-18, 15-13 reverse sweep to the NU Lady Bulldogs to close the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball eliminations on Wednesday, April 22, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
After blowing a 2-0 lead, the Tigresses dropped into a playoff match for the last semifinal spot against the FEU Lady Tamaraws, who also scored a reverse-sweep win earlier in the day. Both teams ended the elimination round with similar 8-6 slates.
Meanwhile, the Lady Bulldogs avoided a playoff, finishing the elimination round at 10-4 for the second seed.
Both teams exchanged blows to open the match, but a back row hit from Angge Poyos capped off a 4-0 UST run to take a 16-11 advantage.
Despite NU sparking offense from Arah Panique and super rookie Sam Cantada, UST held on as an off-the-block hit from Poyos closed a 6-2 run to claim the first set, 25-19.
Panique ignited a 7-2 NU run early in the second salvo, but the Tigresses quickly roared back behind attacks from Poyos and Reg Jurado for a slim 16-14 edge.
More points from Panique and Celine Marsh kept the Lady Bulldogs at bay, but a crosscourt laser from Jurado, followed by an NU foot fault, sealed another set for UST, 25-23.
Panique continued to steer NU’s offense in the third set, while a combination play from Vange Alinsug put the Lady Bulldogs up 17-11.
The Jhocson-squad continued to strum the chords, with back-to-back aces from Cantada, followed by a net fault from UST, to deny a sweep, 25-18
A 7-1 blitz early in the fourth set, including three aces from Chamy Maaya seized momentum for NU. Panique stayed hot to keep her team in front, 19-15.
Three consecutive block points from NU in the latter stages forced a fifth set, 25-18.
Despite a late 4-0 run from UST to place the fifth set into an 11-all deadlock, Alinsug’s kill through the block sealed the victory for NU.
Panique led NU to victory with 21 attacks, two blocks and a service ace. Cantada added 20 points, while Alinsug scored 13.
Poyos paced the Tigresses in the loss with 22 attacks, a block and a service ace, while Jurado backed her up with 21 points and 16 digs.
The playoff schedule between UST and FEU is yet to be announced. F
