Photo: UAAP

By Nate Castillo

Three-peat-seeking National University went through a tough workout to tame University of Santo Tomas, 19-25, 23-25, 25-18, 25-18, 15-13, and clinch the No. 2 seed in the stepladder semifinals of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 88 women’s volleyball tournament on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. 

Arah Panique fired 24 points on 21 kills, two kill blocks and an ace to go with six digs as the Lady Bulldogs pulled off a reverse sweep for a 10-4 win-loss record to end the elimination round.

Photo: UAAP

NU’s victory sent the Golden Tigresses to an 8-6 slate tied with Far Eastern University, triggering a playoff for the last semis spot on Saturday.

The Lady Bulldogs regrouped just in time after the Tigresses made a scary rally from a four-point fifth set deficit to tie the game at 12.

Photo: UAAP

Vange Alinsug gave NU back the lead before Regina Jurado knotted it again at 13. A costly attack error by Angge Poyos put the Lady Bulldogs at match point as Alinsug sealed the victory with a thunderous kill.

Photo: UAAP

Poyos paced UST with 24 points, 15 excellent receptions and nine digs while Jurado had 21 markers and 16 digs.