Rookie Eye Laure lifted her team in an emotional win after giving her career-high of 25 points, while Sisi Rondina, who is graduating, fought hard for her last season with 17 points and 10 excellent receptions. Setter Alina Bicar chipped 23 excellent sets and 15 digs, soaring especially in the crucial fifth set, where a spike gave her team room to breathe with a 13-10 lead. Middle blockers KC Galdones and Caitlyn Viray scored 11 and 10 points, while libero Rica Rivera had 21 digs and 21 excellent receptions.
For DLSU, who already struggled after a loss against Far Eastern University (FEU) in the eliminations and two losses against UST, still astonished leading their opponents into a fifth set thanks to Jolina Dela Cruz, who had 12 points with 16 excellent receptions. Senior Desiree Cheng played her heart out for her exit game with 10 points and 13 digs. Aduke Ogunsanya had 10 points, while Lourdes Clemente chipped seven, along with Norielle Ipac.
In response to their historic finals entry, UST Head Coach Kungfu Reyes told the media post-game, “It’s a big deal (to enter the finals) so at least Sisi and the other seniors have a memorable exit. It’s not just all about heartaches for us, especially like last year,” adding, “At least they were able to redeem themselves from that. We’re all in unison when it comes to winning. That’s a big deal. That’s a morale booster for us.”
The Lady Tigresses initially clinched onto the number two twice-to-beat spot in the Final Four last Wednesday, May 1 during the playoffs. Now, they await their finals rival as top-seeded Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) and number four Far Eastern University go head-to-head on Wednesday, May 8.