UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas made it back to the UAAP women’s volleyball semifinals after four years out, eliminating National University, 20-25, 19-25, 25-22, 25-21, 15-12, on Saturday at the Araneta Coliseum.
The Tigresses' win sends the tournament straight to the semifinals, preventing any complications on the table.
UST secured the No. 3 spot in the semifinals with a 9-5 win-loss record in the elimination round, while pushing Far Eastern University to fourth spot with an 8-6 card.
The Lady Bulldogs were looking to force a tie for fourth, but wound up making an early exit at 7-7, on coach Roger Gorayeb's birthday.
Ateneo and La Salle are in the top two spots and hold a twice-to-beat advantages in the Final Four.
UST team captain Sisi Rondina and star spiker EJ Laure scored 22 each, Christine Francisco added 11 points and Ria Meneses had 10 markers.
“Grabe ang stress ko doon kanina. Ilang oras din 'yun, ang tagal,” said an exhausted and excited UST coach Kungfu Reyes.
“Gusto ko lang i-commend ang tropa ni Coach Roger. Siyempre, akala ko din, magandang birthday para kay Coach Roger, kaya lang medyo naudlot,” he added.
UST team captain Sisi Rondina and star spiker EJ Laure scored 22 each, Christine Francisco added 11 points and Ria Meneses had 10 markers.
Laure hurt her right ankle on a bad landing with UST leading the match, 13-12, but refused to be substituted.
“Ang hirap ng laro, this is for the semifinals kaya iba na ang istorya ng labanan. Hindi na ito ‘yung basta-basta sumusuko 'yung both teams. Kung sinong kukurap, yun ang madidisgrasya,” said Reyes.
“Hanggang sa dulo, pitpitan talaga kami. Bwenas lang at kami 'yung nakakuha ng panalo. Talagang tinyaga naman hanggang sa dulo, ayun, at least nakuha namin ang magandang resulta na gusto naming mangyari,” he added.
Jaja Santiago had 30 points with 25 kills for the Lady Bulldogs.
Jorelle Singh scored 13, while Aiko Urdas added 11 for NU, which missed the semifinals for the second consecutive year.
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