The University of Santo Tomas (UST) Golden Tigresses kept their winning streak against the De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Spikers in a thrilling five-set match during the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament. The game took place at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, where UST secured the win with set scores of 25-12, 22-25, 13-25, 25-23, and 15-13. This victory marked their fifth straight win against La Salle.
It was an exciting match that kept fans cheering the whole time. UST started strong, but DLSU didn’t give up and pushed the game to a final fifth set. In the end, UST stayed focused and determined, earning a well-deserved victory.
UST started strong, taking control of the first set with powerful attacks and solid defense. Angge Poyos led the team with smart plays that made it hard for DLSU to keep up. The Golden Tigresses dominated the set, winning 25-12, and showed their rivals they meant business.
DLSU had a tough start, but they made changes in the second set. Angel Canino, their top player, played better with strong spikes and smart moves on the court. The Lady Spikers also improved their defense, making UST commit mistakes. Because of this, they won the second set 25-22, tying the match.
DLSU stayed confident in the third set and played even better. They controlled the ball well and had strong blocks, making it hard for UST to keep up. UST couldn’t find their rhythm, and La Salle kept increasing their lead. The Lady Spikers won the set easily, 25-13, moving just one step closer to victory.
UST was in a tough spot and had to fight backand they did just that. The Golden Tigresses stayed calm and played smarter volleyball. Poyos, along with Reg Jurado and Cassie Carballo, took the lead. They improved their passing and attacks, while their defense stayed strong against La Salle’s powerful hitters.
The fourth set remained close, but UST managed to pull away at the last moment, winning 25-23, forcing a deciding fifth set.
The final set was nothing short of thrilling. Both teams refused to back down, matching each other point for point. At one point, the score was tied at 11-11, making the final moments extremely tense.
UST then made two crucial points, taking a 13-11 lead after Marga Altea’s clever drop shot. However, DLSU’s Shevana Laput quickly responded with a powerful spike, cutting the lead to 13-12.
With the pressure at its peak, UST’s Reg Jurado delivered an off-speed attack to reach match point at 14-12. Just when it seemed like the game was over, UST committed a service error, allowing DLSU to get one more chance at 14-13.
Unfortunately for La Salle, their opportunity slipped away as a double contact violation by libero Pia Rodriguez ended the match. The Golden Tigresses won 15-13, completing their thrilling comeback victory.
Several players delivered outstanding performances in this intense match:
This victory marks UST’s fifth straight win over La Salle. They last defeated the Lady Spikers in Season 85’s second round, then swept them in Season 86, including the Final Four in another thrilling five-set match. This recent victory only adds more excitement to their rivalry.
For DLSU, this loss is historically significant. It is the first time the Lady Spikers have started a season with a 1-2 record since Season 68 in 2006. They will need to make quick adjustments to get back on track.
After the game, UST assistant coach Yani Fernandez praised his team’s resilience. "In the fifth set, we told them that whoever wants to win will win," he said, highlighting the team’s determination.
Poyos also reflected on the match, saying, "We just showed who we really are as a team. We lost focus in the second and third sets, but we trusted our system and each other."
With this win, UST remains a strong contender in the UAAP Season 87. They will look to continue their momentum in their upcoming matches. Meanwhile, DLSU must regroup and find solutions to bounce back from their slow start.
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