UST leans on Laure-Hernandez duo, survives Ateneo in four
Joie Frances Timbas
The UST Golden Tigresses dimmed the Ateneo Blue Eagles’ chances of a final four ticket via a grueling four-set victory, 25–22, 25–20, 27–29, 25–21, in the second round of the UAAP Season 85 women’s volleyball tournament, on April 15, Saturday afternoon, at the Philsports Arena, Pasig.
After a 13-day Holy Week break, UST was anchored by the veteran duo of Eya Laure and Imee Hernandez after a combined output of 51 points.
Hernandez led the Tigresses’ charge with a career-high 24 marker showing on 19 attacks, three blocks, and two service aces.
Meanwhile, Ateneo’s Faith Nisperos contributed a season-high 31-point output, followed by Vanie Gandler’s 11 and Lyann De Guzman’s 10.
It was not much of a fight during the first and second set as UST notched both to secure a 2–0 decent lead in sets in the match.
Things heated up in the third set as Nisperos nabbed the two points needed to close out the third extended set at 29–27.
But in the final set, Hernandez and Laure took control as the latter pummeled an off-the-block hit to put the Tigresses at match point 24–21. Hernandez quickly followed through with a block on a Nisperos attack to finally close out, 25–21.
One step closer to clinching the solo second seed, the Tigresses look to remain in the winning column to secure a twice-to-beat advantage in the final four round as they face the FEU Lady Tamaraws on April 23, Sunday, at the MOA Arena in Pasay.
