UST completes Final Four cast with win over FEU
Published Apr 23, 2023 07:02 am
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Updated Apr 23, 2023 07:02 am
University of Santo Tomas fended off Far Eastern University, 26-24, 22-25, 25-16, 25-23, to secure the last Final Four seat in the UAAP Season 85 women’s volleyball on Sunday, April 23, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The Golden Tigresses climbed 9-3 in the standings to book the remaining ticket to the playoffs and complete the cast along with top seed De La Salle, National University and Adamson.
With the four-set win, UST is now tied with NU in the No. 2 spot with a similar record as they vie for the other twice-to-beat incentive going into the semifinals, but rankings will be determined at the end of the elimination round.
Eya Laure delivered for UST anew with 28 points on 23 attacks, two blocks and three service aces, while Imee Hernandez added 19 points of her own built on 16 attacks and three blocks.
*The UST Golden books the last Final Four seat after a four-set win against the FEU Lady Tamaraws. (UAAP Media)*
After trailing by one late in the opening set, UST escaped FEU through a 3-0 run, 26-24. However, the Lady Tamaraws responded with their own escape act in the following set to equalize the match at one set apiece. UST then brushed off FEU’s fightback and quickly regained the upper hand in the third set after pulling away from a slim 10-9 advantage and racing into a 17-9 lead. As if the beating wasn’t enough, the Golden Tigresses finished the job with another telling 12-1 run for a 2-1 set lead. UST found itself down by two in the fourth set after encountering some resistance from FEU, but Imee Hernandez took matters into her own hands with back-to-back quick attacks followed by Laure’s two straight points from the service area, 19-17. Now on the verge of elimination, FEU picked itself back up and saved three match points after Janna Torres’ attack error, 24-23, however, Laure hammered down the clincher with a through-the-block hit before the Lady Tamaraws could do anything. Mitzi Panangin and Petallo paced the Lady Tamaraws with 12 and 11 points, respectively as they absorbed a 6-7 record at fifth.
*The UST Golden books the last Final Four seat after a four-set win against the FEU Lady Tamaraws. (UAAP Media)*
After trailing by one late in the opening set, UST escaped FEU through a 3-0 run, 26-24. However, the Lady Tamaraws responded with their own escape act in the following set to equalize the match at one set apiece. UST then brushed off FEU’s fightback and quickly regained the upper hand in the third set after pulling away from a slim 10-9 advantage and racing into a 17-9 lead. As if the beating wasn’t enough, the Golden Tigresses finished the job with another telling 12-1 run for a 2-1 set lead. UST found itself down by two in the fourth set after encountering some resistance from FEU, but Imee Hernandez took matters into her own hands with back-to-back quick attacks followed by Laure’s two straight points from the service area, 19-17. Now on the verge of elimination, FEU picked itself back up and saved three match points after Janna Torres’ attack error, 24-23, however, Laure hammered down the clincher with a through-the-block hit before the Lady Tamaraws could do anything. Mitzi Panangin and Petallo paced the Lady Tamaraws with 12 and 11 points, respectively as they absorbed a 6-7 record at fifth.