This is what good sports movies are made of. And the UAAP Season 85 women's volleyball is just in the first round.
The University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses just made history, putting a stop to the defending champs National University Lady Bulldogs' 20-game winning streak after five heart-stopping sets, 25-23, 27-25, 17-25, 22-25, 15-11.
The last time the Lady Bulldogs suffered defeat was back in Season 81, April 27, 2019.
It was also at the hands of the Golden Tigresses, bowing down in four sets, 27-25, 25-17, 20-25, 25-16.
"Rollercoaster" was how coach Kungfu Reyes described their match on Saturday.
"Luckily, bad game para kay NU. Pero kahit bad game, napakahirap manalo sa kanila. Every single point, kailangan mo trabahuhin. Ganyan ka-disiplina 'yung team na 'yun."
At the start of the match, UST immediately roared as they took the lead, 8-5. NU tried to catch up, but the squad in yellow held on.
Regina Jurado and a Bulldog net violation pushed the defending champions to the brink, as UST snatched Set 2, 27-25.
"Pagod na ba kayo?" Recently-graduated Jen Nierva yelled at her NU teammates, according to Bulldogs correspondent Gerie Medina.
It was just enough as Alyssa Solomon and the Lady Bulldogs sprang aces to take the third set, 25-17.
In the fourth frame, disaster struck for both squads.
Up 2-0, NU setter Camille Lamina had to be escorted out due to cramps. But Joyme Cagande swiftly took over the reigns and pushed the champions up 4-0.
This prompted coach Kungfu Reyes to call a timeout.
"Nagkakagulo na naman kayo eh! 'Di yan nakukuha sa ganyan, pa-cute," he told the Golden Tigresses. "Gawan niyo ng play, gawan niyo ng paraan."
They quickly answered with a Cassie Carballo set to Imee Hernandez. But this time, it was UST which suffered a misfortune.
Milena Alessandrini, who just recovered from a season-ending knee injury, experienced a bad fall. Tears fell from her face as she walked off the court in frustration.
"I was very scared when I went down. I thought it was something serious again," Alessandrini admitted.
UST correspondent Marina Avelino clarified that the former Rookie of the Year only experienced an ankle sprain and her knee was not affected. But Alessandrini could not hide her disappointment.
Down 20-16, Reyes called his girls again.
"'Wag niyo bitawan 'yung bawat puntos na binibigay natin!" He yelled. "Tayo umaatake, 'yung kabila 'yung umi-iscore. 'Di nga tayo naba-block eh! Ibig sabihin, tayo may mali!" NU forced a fifth set, 25-22.
In the decider, the crowd cheered when Alessandrini returned to the court. And the Filipina-Italian player returned Reyes' confidence by delivering crucial points for UST.
"I really wanted to keep contributing to the team. So I played with heart," she said.
The Filipina-Italian finished with 14 points and 10 excellent receptions.
NU managed to save 2 match points, but Season 84's top scorer Eya Laure would not have it. Her kill block sealed the fate of NU and handed UST a sweet second win.
For Laure, it was the breakthrough the Golden Tigresses have been waiting for after absorbing loss after loss against the same set of Lady Bulldogs since high school.
"Nakita ko nag-five sets sila sa Adamson [Lady Falcons]. Kaya natin," Laure, who scored 18 points off 14 attacks and 4 blocks along with 14 excellent digs, told her teammates in the decider.
"Tao din naman sila, nagkakamali sila. Kaya natin, kaya natin sila. Kailangan lang magtiwala sa sarili."
For now, Reyes will let his girls celebrate.
"This is one for the books," he said. "Ito na 'yung nasa cloud nine kami today... I-eenjoy muna namin ngayong gabi."
"We will let them celebrate. Pero next day, back to zero ulit."
UST will face another tough match on March 8 at 2 p.m. against the Adamson, who are fresh off a win against the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws. On the same day, NU will aim to bounce back against the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons at 4 p.m.
(With reports from Mei-Lin Lozada, One Sports Digital)