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University of Sto. Tomas booked the first-ever final of the UAAP 81 Women's Volleyball Tournament Finals after defeating the three-time defending champion at De La Salle University.
University of Sto. Tomas ended his eight-year wait before playing in the finals by dethroning the triple champion De La Salle University, 25-19, 25-19, 20-25, 23-25, 15-10, Sunday at Women's Volleyball UAAP Season 81 Final Four at the MOA Arena.
Rookie Eya Laure led the Tigresses to their first stint after securing second place in season 73 while ending the Lady Spikers 10-year final.
Laure played the role of the hero, hammering the check in stride. The rookie recorded a career record with 25 points scored by 21 rises while forward Sisi Rondina added 17 markers and 10 great receptions for UST.
Rookie Kecelyn Galdones added 11 markers while Caitlyn Viray added 10 points for the Espana-based team. Alina Bicar had 23 excellent sets and 15 digs, while Rica Rivera had 21 digs and 21 great receptions for UST.
The Tigresses took a 10-5 lead before DLSU made a last-ditch effort to reduce its deficit to 11-10 on an attack from Aduke Ogunsanya after an excessive UST win. Bicar killed a goal at the next game, followed by a service ace before Laure's heroic back-to-back.
UST gave DLSU a painful exit as the four elusive swirls continued to escape from the Taft-based squad after three tries. On Wednesday, the Tigresses took the advantage twice more than the others in the playoff match against the Lady Spikers.
The Tigresses will face Wednesday the winner of the final between the Universities Ateneo de Manila and Far Eastern.
The first game of the final will take place on Saturday.
DLSU forced a decisive set after being sidelined from a tight 18-17 lead, to give a 23-19 lead, crowned by a shot across Des Cheng. Viray scored consecutive points for UST to reduce his deficit to 23-21, but made a mistake in the next game. Eya Laure recorded two points but the Tigresses were whistled to score the final goal to end the fourth set.
Lady Spikers took advantage of UST's 13 errors in the third set to escape a sweep.
DLSU returned 11-15 in the third frame with six unanswered points for a 17-15 advantage. The Lady Spikers widened their cushion to 24-19, Laure recorded a set point before striker Des Cheng sealed the frame.
The Tigresses came back from a bad start in the first set which led them early, 1-5. UST rallied to take a 16-12 advantage that climbed to 24-17 against a Viray ace.
DLSU recorded two set points before Galdones sealed the game in one go.
UST struggled again early in the second quarter, 4-7, before triggering another scoring blitz to take an 18-13 advantage.
The Lady Spikers were able to reduce their deficit to 21-19 after a decisive block of May Luna, but Lourdes Clemente overcooked her serve before the SJML made another mistake.
Rookies Ysa Jimenez, who finished with six points, and Laure scored consecutive goals to give UST a 2-0 lead.
Rookie Jolina dela Cruz collected 12 points – all from attack – and 16 excellent receptions while outgoing skipper Des Cheng and Ogunsanya finished with 10 markers each for the Lady Spikers.
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