UST’s Angge Poyos. Photo from UAAP Media.

MANILA (UPDATED) —University of Santo Tomas defeated De La Salle University to earn a twice-to-beat advantage in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball Final Four.

The Golden Tigresses turned back the Lady Spikers, 22-25, 25-23, 25-16, 25-15, during their battle for the semifinals bonus on Saturday at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

Angge Poyos starred for Kung Fu Reyes’ team with 22 points while Jonna Perdido tallied 19 markers. UST spoiled Angel Canino’s return for La Salle, as the reigning MVP made her comeback from a right-hand injury.

Xyza Gula also shone for the Tigresses as she delivered the game-clinching ace for her squad. She finished with two points, all of which came from service aces.

This is the second win of UST over La Salle in the elimination round of Season 86, and it also allowed the Tigresses to earn a twice-to-beat advantage in the semis much like their matchup in Season 81 in 2019.

The España-based squad defeated the Taft hitters in that series in one game but were not able to finish their story as they were thwarted by Ateneo de Manila University, who clinched their third UAAP volleyball title.

And while this is a fresh chance for UST to get their story finished, Reyes wants his team to stay focused on their semifinals matchup first.

"First of all, kino-congratulate ko yung mga player namin na talagang nagta-trabaho para sa team at para sa UST," he said after the game.

"Siyempre maganda 'tong pag pasok ng top four kasi nga nanalo kami, malaking-malaking panalo yung nangyari ngayong gabi. Nakuha namin yung ine-aim namin na hindi lang basta makapasok ng top four, which is magkaroon kami ng twice-to-beat advantage. Hindi naging madali yung mga pinagdaanan ng mga bata, lalong-lalo na yung makaharap mo yung defending champions." 

"Pero nagsisimula lang ulit ng another chapter kasi nga nasa Final Four na tayo. Ice-celebrate muna namin yung panalo namin ngayong gabi then for the next day back to hard court ulit kami," he continued.

After being defeated by La Salle in the opener -- where Canino made her return -- UST went on to win three straight sets, including the third and fourth frames wherein they not only asserted their mastery of the Lady Spikers but also took advantage of the defending champions' costly errors. 

Ramil de Jesus got a career-best 26-point performance from Shevana Laput, built on 23 attacks, two aces and a block. Canino had 13 points in her return, but La Salle's title-retention bid is now in peril as they need to beat UST twice in a row if they hope to enter the championship round.

The two teams will be facing off once again in the Final Four on May 5, Sunday, at 4 PM and another win for the Tigresses will book them a spot in the Season 86 Finals.