La Salle secures twice-to-beat bonus vs UST in UAAP women's volleyball

De La Salle University secured the twice-to-beat advantage heading to the UAAP Season 87 women's volleyball Final Four after overcoming University of Santo Tomas, 23-25, 25-20, 30-28, 29-27, on Wednesday in the playoff for no. 2 at the Mall of Asia Arena.

La Salle and UST will now face off in the Final Four which will start on Saturday.

The Golden Tigresses almost pushed the match to fifth set as they led 24-22 but Alleiah Malaluan's block on Angge Poyos extended the set. The set was neck-and-neck and reached 27-all before a Lilay del Castillo block a backrow attack from Shevana Laput sealed the victory in the match that ran for two hours and 45 minutes.

"Pinakita lang ng mga bata 'yung puso na gusto nilang manalo kaya naging ganun ang resulta," DLSU assistant coach Noel Orcullo said.

Blocks proved to be crucial in La Salle's bid for the twice-to-beat bonus as they made 20 against UST's eight, with Amie Provido having five, while Del Castillo had four.

Angel Canino had 24 points from 19 attacks, four blocks, and an ace, to go with 12 excellent receptions and 10 digs, while Laput had 22 points anchored on 19 attacks.

Poyos led the Golden Tigresses with 24 points built on 23 attacks, while Reg Jurado added 12 points.

National University, the top team in the league, will face Far Eastern University in the other semis bracket.

In the men's division, twice-to-beat NU will face UST, while top-seeded FEU will go against La Salle in the Final Four.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News