UST clinches Finals berth after dispelling UE

The University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses used a balanced effort to maintain their perfect record and outlast the University of the East Lady Warriors, 27-25, 19-25, 25-14, 25-20, to enter the 2018 Philippine Superliga Collegiate Grand Slam Finals at the Muntinlupa Sports Center.

Unforced errors kept the first two sets close, as the Tigresses struggled to keep their attacks in play. UST found their groove in the third set when their three leading scorers took charge.

“Medyo mababa pa nga ‘yung transition namin sa mga atake, so kita talaga na malaki pa ‘yung room for improvement namin,” admitted UST head coach Kungfu Reyes. “Marami kaming errors na kung sana na-convert namin, mas positive for us. Although normal naman ‘yung errors, gusto namin ma-polish pa ‘yung game namin.”

The Tigresses finished with 27 errors, 17 of which came in the first two sets. Eya Laure topped the Tigresses with 15 points, while captain Tin Francisco and Milena Alessandrini provided 14 and 13 points, respectively.

Judith Abil powered the Lady Warriors with 15 points, while Mary Anne Mendrez managed nine.

UST (4-0) will face DLSU-Dasmariñas (0-3) on Thursday. The Tigresses then take on University of the Philippines for the championship on December 20. UE (1-3) close their campaign on Thursday against Collegio San Agustin (1-2).

The Scores

UST (3) – Laure 15, Francisco 14, Alessandrini 13, Pacres 7, Jimenez 5, Roldan 3, Viray 3, Balcorta 2, Mangulbanan 1, Victoria 1, Galanza 0, Delerio (L), Martin (L)

UE (1) – Abil 15, Mendrez 9, Gabarda 6, Catindig 5, Olarve 5, Alcayde 4, Santos 4, Baliton 3, De Leon 3, Bendong 1, Clavano 1, Rodriguez 1, Arado (L), Babol (L)