Solidifying her status as one of the UAAP’s best scorers, Bernadeth Pons came alive just when the Lady Tams needed her most, as she powered her team in the final set of their thrilling five-set triumph of the UST Tigresses 25-21, 25-15, 20-25, 16-25, 15-6, at the MoA Arena. This victory sends the Lady Tams to their first Final Four appearance since Season 72.
The Lady Tams steadily controlled the first two sets with spectacular play from their middle blockers, Geneveve Casugod and Remy Palma. The pair fueled FEU’s offense with their signature running attacks and kept a steady wall of blocking at the net in all of their team’s rotations. The imposing presence of the two forced UST to switch up their lineup, benching Ej Laure, Mela Tunay and Jesse De Leon for Cherry Rondina and Shannen Palec respectively. The Lady Tams took the first two sets with convinction.
UST redeemed themselves in the following two sets, as Cherry Rondina channeled her inner Tigress, scoring 10 of her 11 points in the third and fourth set, powering UST to two consecutive set wins of their own. Team captain Pam Lastimosa pitched in clutch points in the two frames as well, sending her team into the final set with a lot of momentum.
The final set had FEU sophomore superstar, Benadeth Pons break out and save her team’s season as she scored six of her 17 points in the frame. FEU’s defense stood tight as Libero, Christine Agno, and her blockers dismantled UST’s attacks.
Three of FEU’s main guns scored 17 points – Pons, Heather Guino-O and Casugod – while Remy Palma dished out 11 points.
Fourth year player, Lastimosa put in 19 points of work while Cherry Rondina and middle blocker Ria Meneses both had 11 points.
The Lady Tams will now face the NU Lady Bulldogs on Saturday for a spot against the DLSU Lady Spikers who hold a twice-to-beat advantage.
UST Libero, Dancel Dusaran played in her final UAAP game. She had 23 digs.
The Scores:
FEU – Pons 17, Casugod 17, Guino-O 17, Palma 11, Dawson 5, Basas 3, Papa 2, Simborio 0, Malabanan 0, Agno (L)
UST – Lastimosa 19, Meneses 11, Rondina 11, Cortez 6, Laure 5, Palec 5, Tunay 3, Cabanos 3, Alterado 1, Verutiao 0, Dusaran (L)
