The UST Golden Tigresses are back in the UAAP Finals after holding off the DLSU Lady Spikers in the Final Four of the UAAP Season 86 women's volleyball tournament on Sunday, May 5.
The University of Santo Tomas is back in the UAAP Finals for the first time since Season 81, escaping De La Salle University in a five-set thriller, 25-20, 16-25, 25-20,19-25, 15-7, in the Final Four of the Season 86 women's volleyball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday, May 5.
Five years to the day, history repeated itself for the Golden Tigresses, who like in 2019 held a twice-to-beat-advantage and dethroned the Lady Spikers in five sets to advance to the Finals.
In front of 19,505 spectators at the MOA Arena, UST roared to a 9-3 advantage in the deciding fifth set behind Angge Poyos, Cassie Carballo, and Em Banagua.
Shevana Laput and Amie Provido tried to fight back for La Salle, but Jonna Perdido countered their charge with timely hits to bring the Golden Tigresses at match point.
Carballo then drilled the dagger straight to the heart of the defending champions, a service ace to ice the Finals-sealing win after two hours and 52 minutes of action.
Poyos led the way for UST as she finished with 28 points built on 25 points, one block, and two service aces. Perdido added 18 markers, while Bianca Plaza and Regina Jurado had seven apiece in the win.
Laput paced La Salle with 20 points, while Thea Gagate gave it her all on the court in her final game for La Salle, logging 16 points which included six blocks.
Reigning MVP Angel Canino, who played in her second game after missing five matches due to injury, contributed 14 points, 12 digs, and eight receptions.
Jyne Soreño, who also missed some time due to a shoulder injury, added 11 points off the bench.
UST, who secured its 12th Finals appearance of the Final Four er, started off on a solid note after grabbing the first set in convincing fashion.
La Salle, however, regained its composure as they made a telling 10-0 run in the second to catapult them to the set victory.
The Golden Tigresses and Lady Spikers exchanged the third and fourth set victories behind brilliant performances of Poyos and Canino, forcing the match to be decided in the winner-take-all fifth set which the España-based squad ultimately won.
UST will await the winner between the do-or-die match between National University and Far Eastern University.