MANILA, Philippines – University of Santo Tomas fulfilled its promise to deliver an inspired play for injured teammate Milena Alessandrini. 

The University of Santo Tomas (UST) Golden Tigresses pulled off a huge upset over the La Salle Lady Spikers in straight sets, 25-20, 25-22, 25-17, in the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament on Wednesday, March 6, at the Filoil Flying V Centre. 

Behind team captain Sisi Rondina and rookie sensation Eya Laure, the Tigresses pinned a second straight loss on the Lady Spikers, just 4 days after the defending champions also absorbed a massive upset loss to the University of the Philippines. 

UST – which lost Fil-Italian star Alessandrini to a knee injury in its loss to Far Eastern University – wound up tying La Salle for 3rd place at 3-2.

Rondina led the charge with 19 points off 17 attacks and 2 blocks while making 14 excellent receptions. 

“Maganda ang gising ng mga player.  Big win, big win para sa akin. Dedicated ang laban para kay Amiga (Milena Alessandrini),” said UST head coach Kung Fu Reyes.

(The players came out in good form. It’s a big win for me. The match is dedicated to Milena Alessandrini.) 

No La Salle player scored in double-digits as Jolina dela Cruz, Aduke Ogunsanya and Norielle Ipac finished with 8 points each.

The Tigresses last won over the Lady Spikers in 2016, also a straight-set decision in the first round.

UST completed the massive upset as a 4-0 run after the second technical timeout, 16-12, sparked the Tigresses’ breakaway to finish off the Lady Spikers.

UST stunned La Salle from the get-go as they got off to an 11-3 start. The early lead was crucial to the Golden Tigresses’ momentum as they blanked La Salle, 4-0, in the opening-frame closeout. 

The Lady Spikers stayed within reach of UST in the 2nd set, but it was the España-based squad that took control of the end-game as La Salle committed 3 straight errors that gifted UST the 2-0 lead. – Rappler.com