University of Santo Tomas guns for a repeat performance over defending champion De La Salle when they clash in the Final Four for the first time in five years in UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball.

Armed with a twice-to-beat semifinal bonus, the Golden Tigresses seek to secure a finals berth in their meeting with the Lady Spikers on Sunday, May 5 -- the same way they did in 2019.

In that match five years back, the España-based spikers downed De La Salle with a hard-fought 25–19, 25–19, 20–25, 23–25, 15–10 win to advance to the finals.

UST tactician Kungfu Reyes is confident his squad can pull it off the same way they did in Season 81.

“With our hard work and as long as we are healthy and in our 100 percent, we will perform at any cost. Yun naman talaga ang pinagtatrabahuhan namin,” said Reyes, whose team finished the eliminations with a 12-2 win-loss record behind top seed National University.

“No expectations, pero nandito na kami kaya isasagad na namin. Kasi yun na ang big picture na tinitingnan namin sa ngayon,” he added.

With reigning Most Valuable Player Angel Canino making her return to La Salle after missing five outings due to a right arm injury, the Angge Poyos-led UST remained unfazed and determined. 

Reyes also said they are leaning on their morale-boosting 22-25, 25-23, 25-16, 25-15 victory last April 27 against the Lady Spikers that earned them the last semis incentive.

“Maganda yung pagpasok namin ng Top 4 kasi nga nanalo kami. Malaking panalo yun. Nakuha namin (what we were aiming for): hindi lang makapasok ng top four but makuha yung twice-to-beat advantage,” said Reyes.

“Hindi naging madali yung mga pinagdaanan lalo na yung makaharap mo yung defending champion. Pero simula ulit ng bagong chapter since Final Four na ‘yung competition,” he added.

UST flexed its might by sweeping La Salle in the two-round elimination, but it didn’t come easy. They first hurdled the Taft-based spikers with a 25-18, 25-23, 14-25, 16-25, 15-12 triumph last Feb. 25 before that crucial win over the weekend.

The Golden Tigresses are confident to be playing in their peak form, but are constantly reminded not to fall into complacency. 

After all, the crown is still in Taft. 

“We’re just starting a new chapter again kung ano ‘yung gusto namin ilagay sa history books namin," Reyes said.