University of Santo Tomas played with renewed fire at the most crucial moment, and it showed when it mattered most.
The Golden Tigresses finally bared their fangs against the Adamson Lady Falcons, sweeping them, 25-16, 25-18, 25-19, to advance in the stepladder phase of the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Women’s Volleyball Tournament on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
After being swept twice by Adamson in the elimination round, UST flipped the narrative completely, delivering a dominant straight-sets victory that ended the Lady Falcons’ season—and the campaign of presumptive MVP Shaina Nitura.
A key spark behind the turnaround was the presence of two program legends during their final buildup for the stepladder clash.
Season 81 Rookie of the Year Eya Laure and former MVP Sisi Rondina visited the team on Monday, sharing insights and helping reinforce the Golden Tigresses’ confidence ahead of their do-or-die match.
(C) Joaqui Flores/UAAP Season 86 Media Team
“Talagang naremind po kami UST blood continues to run through kahit po na mag pro na po or whatever dahil alam po talaga namin na nandiyan sila lagi, palaging sumusuporta. Natulungan po nila kami to get this win din lalo na recent lang yung visit nila,” said UST opposite spiker Regina Jurado.
“Na-remind po kami na yung UST dapat may pride, dapat palaban, and good thing nailabas naman po namin and hopefully nga sa susunod na games,” she added.
UST now shifts its focus to second-ranked and back-to-back champions National University on Saturday, with the winner earning the right to challenge undefeated De La Salle University in the best-of-three finals.
Angge Poyos paced the Golden Tigresses’ balanced offense with 17 points, eight digs, and seven receptions, while Jurado added 13 points and 14 excellent digs.
Jonna Perdido also delivered 10 points, 10 digs, and seven receptions, while Avril Bron chipped in seven points.
Captain libero Detdet Pepito anchored the defense once again, finishing with 16 excellent digs out of 23 attempts and nine excellent receptions out of 13 tries.
Perdido also credited another program icon in two-time UAAP champion Aiza Maizo-Pontillas, who has remained a steady presence throughout their campaign.
“Sa akin po, malaking tulong na bumisita po sila Ate Eya, sila Ate Sisi, and si Nang Aiza kasi sinasabi po nila na maging palaban kami and yung pride nga sa school dapat hindi namin tatanggaling yun sa sarili namin. Yun yung pinanghugutan din namin, yung pride sa school,” said Perdido.
