UST gains twice-to-beat advantage after shocking win over DLSU

“UST vs DLSU Playoff! #KamiNaman #GoUSTe” (Photo: UST Women’s Volleyball (Tigresses)/Facebook)

UST’s Sisi Rondina once again performed with 29 points off 25 attacks, two kill blocks, and two aces, while Eya Laure chipped 17 points off 15 kills. For La Salle, it was rookie Jolina Dela Cruz who had double digits at 12 points, while Des Cheng and May Luna contributed nine points each. Lourdes Clemente and Aduke Ogunsanya chipped seven points individually as well.

This is the first time that UST is making a semifinals appearance with a twice-to-beat advantage since Season 73. In reaction to that, UST head coach Kungfu Reyes shared in Filipino during the post-game interview, “It’s nice to experience a playoff after a really long time. It’s a great feeling alone to play the game, but it feels even better to win. Luckily, we were the ones that won. This marks history again for us.”

Rondina added, “I was holding my tears back, while Eya elaborated, “Since the huddle in the dugout, we were reminded by coach that we do whatever it takes,” referring to the most recent Avengers film, “That’s what we really used in this game. There are a lot of possible things that can happen, but we can only focus on what’s in our team’s control and nobody let’s go or gives up just like that. As long as we can do it – whatever it truly takes.”

UST and DLSU will face each other once again for the Final Four this coming Sunday, May 5. The day before, Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU), who also has a twice-to-beat advantage, will be facing Far Eastern University (FEU).