The UST Golden Tigresses remained undefeated in the UAAP Season 86 women's volleyball tournament after their thrilling five-set win over the Ateneo Blue Eagles on Wednesday, March 20.
University of Santo Tomas edged Ateneo in a thrilling five-setter, 25-15, 27-25, 23-25, 26-28, 15-13, to solidify its hold of the top spot in the UAAP Season 86 women's volleyball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao on Wednesday, March 20.
Jonna Perdido came through with the finishing blows to break a 13-all standoff in the fifth and keep the Tigresses unbeaten in eight games.
The Blue Eagles, who erased an 8-11 deficit in the decider to continue posing a threat to UST's immaculate record, slipped to 2-6 at sixth.
The Tigresses came out hot but struggled against ADMU's persistent attacks.
The Blue Eagles, who were held to 15 points in the opening frame, got all fired up in the second as they threatened to equalize at 22-24 after Lyann de Guzman's attack.
But Regina Jurado scored three straight points followed by a block by Perdido to steal the set for UST.
ADMU, however, did not back down as it outgunned the Espana-based squad in attacks in the next two frames, 18-14 and 19-16, to force the decider.
The Blue Eagles and the Tigresses figured in a nip-and-tuck battle in the fourth set which carried over to the fifth.
UST, however, showed resistance as they built an 11-8 separation behind Carballo's dump and two aces and Plaza's denial on De Guzman.
But De Guzman quickly answered with an attack while Zel Tsunashima swung a hit then denied Perdido at the net to cap a 5-2 retaliation by the Blue Eagles to threaten anew at 13-all.
But it turned out to be ADMU's last stand as Perdido sealed it for UST.
Jurado led the Golden Tigresses with 19 points on 16 attacks, one block and two aces. Angge Poyos had 19 markers while Perdido added 17.
De Guzman finished with 22 points for the Blue Eagles.