FINALS-BOUND UST LOOKS TO KEEP HISTORY FROM REPEATING ITSELF, SEEKS CHAMPIONSHIP

MANILA, Philippines: Coach Kungfu Reyes and the UST Golden Tigresses dethroned the De La Salle Lady Spikers, 25-20, 16-25, 25-20, 19-25, 15-7, in their Final Four match at the Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday, May 5 to enter the UAAP Season 86 women's volleyball Finals.

The win-once UST repeated what it did in Season 81 back in 2019 when the Reyes-mentored team also dethroned La Salle in five sets at the same venue and on the same date the Golden Tigresses sent the Lady Spikers packing this Season 86.

Five years ago, however, the Golden Tigresses, then led by Sisi Rondina and rookie Eya Laure, yielded to the Ateneo Blue Eagles in the championship round.

That is something that they are eager to change this time as they gun for their first championship since Season 72 back in 2010.

"They say history repeats itself but this time we're going to make it a point to change the result.," said Reyes in the post-game presser, minutes after he led UST to its 12th Finals appearance in the women's division.

"Some say that we're just lucky, well, we just lucked our way to the Finals. We can't say anything about these players, they're here in front of you because purely of hard work, no drama. I told the coaches that we're going to be overprotective of our players because we don't want to come to the games when someone's hurting."

Most Valuable Player (MVP) candidate Angge Poyos fired 28 points on 25 attacks, two services, and one block to lead UST past La Salle.

Jonna Perdido pumped 18 points; Cassie Carballo dished out 18 excellent sets, and Detdet Pepito logged 18 digs and 16 receptions.

"We will keep the team intact especially this Finals so this will really be a memorable one. Again, we're going to change what happened in 2019," said Reyes.

The Golden Tigresses will face the victor from the FEU Lady Tamaraws and the twice-to-beat NU Lady Bulldogs semifinals battle which will end on Wednesday, May 8.

Reyes said that they will be ready whichever team they're going to face in the Big Dance.

"We're ready for whichever team we're going to face. We're going to make the most of this and we'll lay it all on the line."

2024-05-06T19:46:56Z dg43tfdfdgfd