UAAP Season 86: UST stuns La Salle, remains unbeaten in women's volleyball

The University of Santo Tomas (UST) Golden Tigresses pulled off a thrilling five-set victory over the De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Archers to maintain their undefeated record in the UAAP Season 86 women's volleyball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday, February 25.

Despite surrendering a 2-0 set lead and falling behind 12-9 in the fifth set, UST battled back with a six-point run to surpass the defending champion, 25-18, 25-23, 14-25, 16-25, 15-12, and hike their record to 3-0.

Jonna Chris Perdido and rookie Angeline Poyos led the way for the Golden Tigresses with 24 and 20 points, respectively. Perdido tallied 21 kills and three blocks, while Poyos listed 20 attacks, a block, and an ace. Mary Margaret Banagua added 11 markers.

Season 85 Best Libero Ma. Bernadett Pepito provided solid defense with 18 excellent receptions and 12 digs, while setter Ma. Cassandra Carballo had 16 excellent sets on top of two points, including a service bomb that put Uste at match point.

La Salle suffered their first season loss despite a valiant effort from reigning Most Valuable Player Angel Canino, who finished with a game-high 28 points (24 attacks, three blocks, and an ace).

Coach Ramil de Jesus-mentored squad dominated every statistical category, including spikes (64-58), blocks (15-7), aces (5-2), sets (18-16), digs (33-23), and receptions (33-29). However, they committed more errors (28) than Kungfu Reyes' side (19).

Earlier on the same day, the Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws outlasted the University of the East (UE) Lady Warriors in another five-set battle, 22-25, 25-17, 25-18, 25-27, 15-11.

Four FEU players registered double figures, with playmaker Christine Ubaldo dishing 23 excellent sets.

Gerzel Mary Petallo headlined the Lady Tamaraws in scoring with 18 points from 14 hits, three blocks, and an ace, while Chenie Tagaod, Faid Bakanke, and Mitzi Panangin churned out 16, 14, and 11 markers, respectively.

The Lady Warriors lost for the second straight time after winning their opener against Ateneo de Manila University amid the 30-point explosion of first-year outside hitter Casley Monique Dongalio.
Kayce Balingit's 16 markers on 12 attacks, three aces, and a block for UE also went to vain.