UST dethrones La Salle, advances to UAAP Finals after five years

University of Santo Tomas is back in the UAAP women's volleyball finals stage.

The twice-to-beat Golden Tigresses outlasted De La Salle University, 25-20, 16-25, 25-20, 19-25, 15-7, on Sunday in the Season 86 Final Four round at the Mall of Asia Arena to advance to the finals after five years.

The España-based squad last advanced to the finals in 2019 when it went against Ateneo de Manila University which won the Season 81 title.

Incidentally, five years ago, UST also dethroned La Salle in the Final Four round to advance to the Finals.

After being tied at 3-3 in the fifth set, the Golden Tigresses made a 5-0 run to take an early lead. UST had control of the set before eventually taking the win after a service ace by Cassie Carballo.

UST is heading to the Finals as a Cassie Carballo ace sealed the deal in Set 5, 15-7.

UST also dethrones La Salle in the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament @gmasportsph @gmanews pic.twitter.com/vPS4omHF93

— JK Carandang (@jk_carandang) May 5, 2024

Angge Poyos paced the Kung Fu Reyes-mentored squad with 28 points anchored on 25 attacks and two aces, while Jonna Perdido added 18 points.

Shevana Laput had 20 points, while graduating Thea Gagate and reigning Most Valuable Player Angel Canino chipped in 16 and 14 points, respectively.

UST, however, will have to wait for the winner of the do-or-die game between the twice-to-beat National University and no. 4 team Far Eastern University which swept the Lady Bulldogs on Saturday.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News