UST clinches semis edge in women’s volleyball

University of Santo Tomas (UST) clinched the twice-to-beat incentive in the Final Four phase of the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament after escaping with a 22-25, 21-25, 25-15, 25-22, 15-11 win over Far Eastern U on Wednesday at The Arena in San Juan City. Aiza Maizo and Judy Caballejo had 19 points apiece while Maika Ortiz had 15 as the Tigresses bounced back from a two-set loss to secure the No. 2 seeding entering the semifinal round. The Tigresses improved to 10-3 and will face the winner between Adamson and Ateneo on Sunday in the Final Four. UST coach Cesael Delos Santos said his players failed to keep pace with FEU’s play early in the game but commended them for coming back. "Kung maganda ang ginagalaw ng kalaban, dapat doble ang effort na pinapakita naming," said Delos Santos. "Marami kaming miscommunications pero mabuti nalang at bumilis kami." Kathleen Magsumbol finished with a game-high 20 points, Maica Morada tallied 16 points and Rosemarie Vargas added 14 for the Lady Tamaraws, who dropped to 4-9. FEU got a boost in the opening set after coming back from a 21-17 deficit to gain momentum in the second to move one win away from an upset win. But the Tigresses fought back taking an early 13-6 lead in the third set before winning a neck-and-neck fourth set, 25-22. Maizo capped off a UST run in the fifth set that gave them a 13-9 lead and never looked back. In the second game, La Salle swept past University of the Philippines, 25-16, 25-18, 25-14, for the Lady Archers’ 12th win in 13 matches. Abigail Marano led La Salle with 12 points followed by Cha Cruz with 10 markers in the three-set win. The Lady Maroons slipped to 3-10. – JVP, GMA News