Rondina, UST Tigresses roll into Final Four with emphatic win over NU

Entering the UAAP Season 81 Women’s Volleyball Final Four, the University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses picked up steam with a four-set win over the also-ran National University Lady Bulldogs, 26-24, 25-17, 21-25, 25-16, at the FilOil Flying V Centre.

UST earned a 10-4 record, one game behind the DLSU Lady Spikers in the loss column (10-3) for the second seed. If the Lady Spikers lose tomorrow against the FEU Lady Tamaraws, UST and La Salle will figure in a playoff for the second seed and twice-to-beat advantage on Wednesday.

The Tigresses had to crawl back in the first set, getting a clutch hit from Sisi Rondina and block from KC Galdones to finish off a deuce.

Later on, UST went on to build a 17-9 lead in the second set to put the frame out of reach.

The Lady Bulldogs recovered in the third frame, blasting UST with a 17-12 blitz and fending off a late run.

But NU’s run did not last into the fourth set, as UST forged a 23-15 lead and never looked back.

Sisi Rondina powered in 21 points, while Eya Laure added 13 markers.

“Siguro, ngayon talagang kakayod na. Kumabaga, nakatapak na kami sa goal namin, kukunin na lang namin,” said UST head coach Kungfu Reyes as they head into the Final Four.

Rookies Ivy Lacsina and Princess Robles continued to lead NU in their final match for the season, managing 19 and 14 markers, respectively. Captain Rose Doria provided nine points in her last UAAP appearance.

The Lady Bulldogs finished out of the Final Four with a 4-10 record.

The Scores

UST (3) – Rondina 21, Laure 13, Bicar 7, Galdones 7, Viray 6, Jimenez 4, Pacres 1, Roldan 1, Galanza 0, Rivera (L)

NU (1) – Lacsina 19, Robles 14, Paran 10, Doria 9, Luceño 4, Chavez 1, Landicho 0, Orillaneda 0, Nierva (L)