UST Rallies Past FEU to Secure Spot in Stepladder Quarters

University of Santo Tomas shook off a sluggish start to defeat Far Eastern University, 16-25, 25-20, 25-18, 25-16, and advance to the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Women’s Volleyball stepladder on Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Golden Tigresses, who had won all three of their previous encounters with the Lady Tamaraws this season, will now make their sixth consecutive appearance in the top four since Season 81 (2019), where they made it all the way to the Finals.

UST will face third-seeded Adamson University in the stepladder quarterfinals on Wednesday at 3 p.m. at the Big Dome. The Golden Tigresses have yet to win a set against the Lady Falcons this season.

The winner of this match will go on to challenge defending two-time champion National University on May 2 in the next stage of the stepladder. The victor will then move on to face unbeaten La Salle in the best-of-three Finals, starting May 6.

“Sobrang proud sa team and happy din kasi alam naman nating lahat ‘yung pinagdaanan namin na at least, nakakasurvive kami, and I’m sure mas magiging eager ‘yung team pagdating ng stepladder,” said head coach Shaq Delos Santos, who made his return to UST this season.

After trailing by just two points in the fourth set at 12-10, Angge Poyos stepped up and powered UST to victory, contributing six points in a decisive 9-2 run to close out the match in two hours and six minutes.

"Alam naman nating ngayong season sobrang unpredictable lahat kayang manalo. Grateful lang ako sa coaches na grabe yung tiyaga sa amin, at saka sa teammates ko na iniyakan ko kagabi pa lang na please ayaw ko pang mag pro," said UST captain Detdet Pepito, who delivered a stellar performance with 15 excellent receptions on 17 attempts and 18 excellent digs on 27 attempts.

Poyos led the charge with 26 points, including 22 attacks and four blocks, plus seven receptions and five digs. Reg Jurado added 11 points despite struggling with a 9-of-48 attacking clip, also contributing 12 digs.

Xyza Gula changed the momentum after the opening set, finishing with nine points, 11 digs, and seven receptions. Avril Bron chipped in eight points, while setter Cassie Carballo orchestrated the offense with 21 excellent sets, seven digs, and two points.

For FEU, captain Gerzel Petallo finished with 14 points, including nine attacks and five blocks, along with 14-of-20 excellent receptions and 9-of-16 digs. Clarisse Loresco added 11 points, and Faida Bakanke and Jazlyn Ellarina both scored nine points in the loss.

In her final game for FEU, setter Tin Ubaldo registered 15 excellent sets and three points, bringing an end to the Lady Tamaraws' two-season streak of Top Four finishes.