First, they became the team that ended NU’s win streak. Now, they dealt La Salle their first loss of the season. The UST Growling Tigresses are giving Final Four material of UAAP Season 85.
Related: Combo Breaker: UST Just Ended NU’s 20-Win Streak At UAAP Women’s Volleyball
The thing about sports is that you can never know what to fully expect. And with UAAP Volleyball Season 85, that means the UST Golden Tigresses solidifying their status as the team that humbles champions. Over a month into the current season, the team has already proven themselves as not only ones to watch out for but streak-enders against some of the top teams of the league. It was an energy that was on full display when they recently defeated the De La Salle University Lady Spikers, giving the ladies their first black-eye of the season.
YET ANOTHER COMBO BREAKER
On April 2, Sunday, nearly 8,500 fans witnessed in person what was yet another historic match under Season 85. The Golden Tigresses sharpened their claws as they pounced on the then-undefeated Lady Spikers. With a 9-0 win ratio, it looked like La Salle was ready to notch their tenth win. But UST came growling with a final score of 25-19, 14-25, 25-18, and 25-12. While La Salle rebounded during the second set, it wasn’t enough to stop the advance of UST who cleaned up after two sets.
Certified new-gen volleyball star Eya Laure led the way with a daunting 29 points, her highest of the season so far. Milena Alessandrini followed behind with 20 points from 17 attacks and 3 blocks. Together, the two athletes scored an astonishing 49 points in the game. Rookie Regina Juardo ranked third as she scored a cool 12 points and 12 digs. As for La Salle, rookie wunderkind Angel Canino was the only member of the team to score double-digits in the match with 13 points bagged. Thea Gagate came in second with 9 points.
WATCH OUT FOR UST
UST beats La Salle!!!
— Daniel B. Bautista (@bautistadanielb) April 2, 2023
“No Sweep” said Eya Laure!!!
We will be having a Final 4 Semis Format!!! #UAAPSeason85 pic.twitter.com/HrRKYt4eSa
With that, not only did UST increase their win record to 7-3, but they also delivered an upset for La Salle, knocking their perfect win record to 9-1. It was only a couple of weeks ago that UST made history as the first team to defeat NU after having a years-long unbeatable streak. Now, the Golden Tigresses get to brag that they gave La Salle their first defeat of the season. Watch out for UST but don’t discount La Salle yet. These teams are coming for blood.
Also, Team Captain Eya Laure’s monstrous performance in the game was enough to see her jump to second place, just behind La Salle’s Jolina Dela Cruz, in the unofficial leaderboards for this season’s MVP. And finally, the La Salle loss means that this season will have a traditional final four. Season 85 heads into the Holy Week break before the action continues on April 15 and 16. Who knows what else can happen next?
Continue Reading: We Already Have New Court Stars For UAAP Season 85 Women’s Volleyball
