MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – After going down the first set, the University of the Santo Tomas (UST) Golden Tigresses turned back the National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs in 4 sets, 22-25, 25-23, 25-21, 25-9, on Sunday, March 25, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. 

The Golden Tigresses rode on their winning momentum after taking the second and 3rd sets of the match. Outside hitters Sisi Rondina and Milena Alessandrini lifted the UST offense as they locked down NU to only 9 points in the 4th and last set

The Tigresses’ second straight win improved their record to 4-7, while the Lady Bulldogs slid to 6-5 in the UAAP Season 80 Women’s Volleyball tournament.

Rondina led the Golden Tigresses with 25 points while Alessandrini followed with 19 points off 11 spikes, 5 blocks, and 3 aces.

Despite the loss, Jaja Santiago had a 27-point outburst to lead the Lady Bulldogs.

The game got off to a tight start until the Golden Tigresses pulled away late in the set with a comfortable 3-point cushion, 22-19. But NU answered back with a 6-0 run and UST committed back-to-back errors, giving the first set to the Lady Bulldogs.

NU was 5 points away from doubling its lead in the second set until UST exploded with a 9-3 run, punctuated by Rondina’s back-to-back aces and a crosscourt spike.

Alessandrini’s attack through the block edged out NU and brought UST to set point, 24-23. Alina Bicar evened the match at one set apiece.

UST took control of the 3rd set with an early 6-1 start and pulled away to a 21-14 advantage capped off by Tin Francisco’s attack. Santiago’s efforts cut the deficit to 4 points, 23-18, but it was her attack error in the end that gave UST the 2-1 advantage in the match.

The Scores:

UST (3) – Rondina 25, Alessandrini 19, Viray 8, Bicar 7, Francisco 3, Dizon 2, Pacres 1.

NU (1) – Santiago 27, Paran 11, Sato 7, Urdas 4, Doria 4, Nabor 1, Singh 1.

– Rappler.com