UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas pulled off an early stunner, taking down reigning champion National University, 25-23, 27-25, 17-25, 22-25, 15-11, for its second win in the UAAP Season 85 Women’s Volleyball tournament, Saturday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The win saw UST tie with NU and Adamson in second place at 2-1, just behind De La Salle University’s pristine 2-0 record.
Four straight points from the Tigresses saw them mount a 10-6 advantage before Milena Alessandrini — shaking off a sprained ankle — and Eya Laure taking charge steered UST into the win.
“Cardiac, rollercoaster — up and down yung flow ng game. Yun yung mga things na dapat naming ma-overcome, nung nawala yung middle namin,” head coach Kungfu Reyes said.
“Luckily, bad game si NU. Pero kait bad game, ang hirap pa ring manalo sa kanila. Very point kailangang mong magtrabaho. Luckily nakuha namin yung fifth set,” he added.
Captain Laure ended with 18 points on 14 attacks and four blocks to go with 14 digs, while rookie Regina Jurado also added 18 markers on 12 attacks, two blocks, and two service aces, alongside 11 digs.
Coincidentally, it was UST who last gave NU its last defeat prior to the game. On April 27, 2019, Sisi Rondina and Laure paced the Tigresses in subduing Jennifer Nierva and the Lady Bulldogs, 27-25, 25-17, 20-25, 25-16, to strengthen their bid for a twice-to-beat advantage in the semifinals then.
After leading 16-12 at the second technical timeout in the first set, UST had to fend off the rally from the defending champions before Milena Alessandrini finished it off, guarding the net for a 25-23 win.
Xyza Gula came off the bench to energize the Tigresses in the second set, breaking an 18-all deadlock to put it at 21-10. Regina Jurado and the rest of the squad then snagged the frame to 27-25 for a 2-0 advantage.
The reigning champions would not be left out as they bounced back big in the next two frames leading to the equalizer and forcing that decider.
Solomon and middle blocker Sheena Toring willed NU into a huge lead in the third set that they never relinquished. The Bulldogs then answered with three straight points in the fourth to set up the reverse sweep after the Tigresses leveled the set at 22, bucking an injury to starting setter Camilla Lamina.
Solomon took charge for the Lady Bulldogs with a game-high 22 markers, 20 of which came from attacks. Reigning Most Valuable Player Michaela Belen added 17 points on 14 spikes to go with 14 excellent receptions.
