UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas shook off a sluggish start to turn back College of St. Benilde, 26-24, 29-27, 25-17, and book the first semifinal spot in the Premier Volleyball League Collegiate Conference on Saturday at The Arena in San Juan.
Rookie Ysabel Jimenez and Milena Alessandrini finished with 13 points apiece for UST, which remained unscathed and stretched its winning run to five to cement its hold of the No. 1 spot.
Eya Laure, who was nursing a right shoulder injury and was used sparingly in the third set, chipped in 11 markers.
“‘Yung sinasabi ko sa team is para kaming ‘yung panahon ngayon, gloomy, umuulan, so malamig, so pilit binubuhay,” said UST assistant coach Ian Fernandez.
“Sabi ko nga, ang laki ng lamang natin, pero ‘bat parang tayo ‘yung naghahabol,” he added.
The Tigresses got back on their feet to dominate the third set and never allowed the Lady Blazers a chance to extend the match.
“Well at least na overcome naman namin ‘yung first two sets namin na sabi ko nga i-enjoy nila, i-celebrate nila every point, ‘yung mga kasama nila i-cheer nila sa labas at loob kahit anong klaseng puntos pa ‘yan buti nabuhay sa third set,” said Fernandez.
Marites Pablo made 14 points for CSB, while Klarisa Abriam and Jan Dagul contributed 11 markers apiece.
The Lady Blazers dropped to 1-3, tied with University of Perpetual Help and San Beda University.
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