NU Rallies Late to Crush UST, Punches Ticket to Finals

Second-ranked National University displayed championship grit, mounting an 11-3 finishing run to deny fourth-seeded University of Santo Tomas in the stepladder semifinals, securing a 20-25, 26-24, 26-24, 25-21 victory and advancing to the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Women’s Volleyball Finals.

Arah Panique and Vange Alinsug carried NU during crunch time in the three sets they won—all comeback efforts—before a packed crowd of 14,334 at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Lady Bulldogs, back-to-back champions, will now pursue a third straight title against the De La Salle Lady Spikers, who dominated the 14-game elimination round. NU, however, swept La Salle in last year’s Finals. This marks the fourth Finals matchup between NU and La Salle in five seasons, with Game 1 set for 5 p.m. on Wednesday at SM Mall of Asia Arena.

Despite navigating the post-Bella Belen and Alyssa Solomon era, NU managed to reach the championship round.

“We’re just happy to be here. We gave our best today, and we’ll continue to prepare for the next game. Our goal remains the same: prepare, give our best, and hopefully win the championship,” said NU head coach Regine Diego, set to face her former mentor Ramil de Jesus for the first time. De Jesus has led the Lady Spikers to 12 titles and will make his 22nd Finals appearance.

UST seemed poised to force a fifth set after building an 18-14 lead in the fourth frame, fueled by Xyza Gula, Regina Jurado, and Jonna Perdido. But NU refused to be denied, closing the match with a decisive rally.

Alinsug spearheaded the surge with six points in the 11-3 run, supported by Chams Maaya, Camilla Lamina, and Alexa Mata. The Lady Bulldogs wrapped up the two-hour-and-25-minute contest, securing their fifth straight Finals appearance.

Rookie-of-the-Year frontrunner Sam Cantada, who tweaked her left ankle in the second set, returned in the fourth and provided steady service during NU’s late push.

“Very happy. Everyone worked hard for this crucial do-or-die game. I’m thrilled with the team’s performance and hope it continues through the championship,” said Lamina, who orchestrated the offense with 34 excellent sets, adding three points and six digs.

Panique, who rallied NU from 20-17 deficits in both the second and third sets, finished as top scorer with 23 points on 21 attacks and two blocks. Alinsug contributed 18 points, 10 of which came in the final set, along with 16 receptions and seven digs. Middle blockers Maaya and Mata added 14 and 10 points respectively, combining for nine of NU’s 12 blocks. Shaira Jardio recorded 25-of-30 excellent receptions and 24-of-46 excellent digs.

For UST, the Golden Tigresses—who survived two do-or-die matches to reach the stepladder finale—settled for third place for the second straight season. The match also marked the end of Detdet Pepito’s 11-year UAAP career, highlighted by six Best Libero awards. Pepito finished her collegiate journey with 23-of-47 excellent digs and 8-of-11 excellent receptions.

Jurado led UST with 19 points, including two blocks, plus 12 digs. Poyos added 16 points, 13 receptions, and 10 digs, while Perdido contributed 15 points, 21 receptions, and nine digs. Cassie Carballo recorded 35 excellent sets, along with five points and eight digs.