MANILA – University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses got a huge morale boost heading into the Final Four after outlasting National University Lady Bulldogs, 27-25, 25-17, 21-25, 25-16, in UAAP Season 81 women’s volleyball on Saturday at San Juan Arena.
Cherry Rondina once again spearheaded the attack with 21 points, all were attack points, for the Golden Tigresses, which capped off the double round eliminations with 10-4 win-loss slate.
UST actually can still vie for a “twice-to-beat” advantage in the semifinals round if the defending champions De La Salle University Lady Spikers (10-3) drops its final elimination round match against Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws today.
The Golden Tigresses got to a flat start in the opening set and has to rally from an early advantage by the Lady Bulldogs before turning to the clutch conversions of Rondina and rookie Kecelyn Galdones.
UST, however, made a quick work of NU in the second set as they build a 17-9 lead en route to a 2-0 set edge. Golden Tigresses could not get the job done in the third period with Lady Bulldogs surging to a 17-12 lead to extend the match to another set.
Golden Tigresses showed its fangs in the fourth frame with Rondina, Galdonez and Ejiya Laure conniving for 23-15 advantage and ending the hopes of Lady Bulldogs for a graceful exit.
The rookie-laden Lady Bulldogs capped off their double-round elimination campaign with 4-10 win-loss slate, including two wins against pre-season favorites University of the Philippines Lady Maroons./PN
