Continuing their sudden roll, the University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses stifled the free-falling National University Lady Bulldogs, 22-25, 25-23, 25-21, 25-9, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
UST blew a 22-19 lead in the first set, allowing the Lady Bulldogs to take the next six points and the early lead. The Tigresses again managed to sneak ahead, 22-20, in the second frame, and this time, UST did not allow the cushion to slip away, with Alina Bicar serving an ace to clinch the set win.
Dominating the entire third set, the Tigresses pounced on the Lady Bulldogs early and built a 23-18 lead. NU tried to bounce back, scoring back-to-back points. But the Tigresses ended the frame with a statement, blocking Jaja Santiago for the set-clinching point.
By the fourth set, NU had lost all their steam. Taking advantage of their deflated foes, the Golden Tigresses grabbed a 13-5 advantage and never looked back.
“Talagang pinaghandaan namin, nakita niyo naman ‘yung kagustuhan ng mga bata manalo. Sana tuloy-tuloy lang. Ang maganda ngayon naibalik nila ‘yung respeto nila sa sarili nila,” pointed out UST head coach Kungfu Reyes.
Cherry Rondina topped UST with 25 points, while Fil-Italian rookie Milena Alessandrini added 19.
Jaja Santiago towed NU with 27 markers. Audrey Paran managed 11.
The Golden Tigresses improve their record to 4-7, keeping their slim Final Four hopes alive heading into the Holy Week break. They take on the Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles (7-3) on April 4 at the FilOil Flying V Centre. Meanwhile, the Lady Bulldogs dropped to fourth, still winless in the second round with a 6-5 card. They face the University of the Philippines Lady Maroons (3-8), also on April 4.
The Scores
UST (3) – Rondina 25, Alessandrini 19, Viray 8, Bicar 7, Francisco 3, Dizon 2, Pacres 1, Palec 0, Sandoval 0, Teope 0, Pollentes (L), Rivera (L)
NU (1) – Santiago 27, Paran 11, Sato 7, Doria 4, Urdas 4, Nabor 1, Singh 1, Doromal 0, Chavez (L), Valdez (L)
