MANILA — Defending champion National University stormed back from two sets down to defeat University of Santo Tomas, 19-25, 23-25, 25-18, 25-18, 15-13, and clinch the No. 2 seed—and a coveted stepladder semifinals bye—in the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Lady Bulldogs’ gritty reversal not only salvaged a crucial win but also sealed their 10-4 elimination round record, allowing them to skip the opening phase of the stepladder semifinals and move one step closer to a Finals berth.
“I’m very proud of them because even though we were coming from a loss and we were fatigued already from that, we pushed through this game and locked in the second rank. Very happy. Hopefully dire-diretso na po ito hanggang dulo po,” said NU head coach Regine Diego.
Arah Panique powered NU’s comeback with 24 points, while Sam Cantada delivered an all-around performance with 20 points, 17 excellent receptions, and nine excellent digs. Evangeline Alinsug added 13 markers to anchor the Lady Bulldogs’ late surge.
“Gusto lang po naming makabawi sa pagkatalo namin last game kasi ’yun ‘yung pinanghuhugutan talaga namin, ‘yung game na ’yun. Masaya lang din po kami kasi makikita naman po ‘yung team effort namin and teamwork po,” said Panique.
Despite the loss, UST leaned on Angeline Poyos, who fired 24 points along with 15 excellent receptions and nine excellent digs, while Regina Jurado chipped in 21 markers.
The defeat dropped the Golden Tigresses into a tie with Far Eastern University at 8-6, setting up a high-stakes playoff for the last Final Four berth this Saturday.
Earlier, FEU kept its semifinal hopes alive by also staging a reverse sweep against Ateneo de Manila University, 22-25, 23-25, 25-12, 25-21, 15-10, forcing the do-or-die scenario.
Meanwhile, De La Salle University secured an outright Finals berth after completing a perfect 14-0 elimination sweep, while Adamson University finished third and awaits its opponent in the stepladder round./PN
