La Salle bucked a University of Santo Tomas second-set comeback to eke out a 25-20, 25-27, 18-25, 25-22, 15-12 win Sunday in the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament at the packed The Arena in San Juan.
The Lady Archers relied on Cha Cruz and Stephanie Mercado to take the final two sets, allowing the Taft-based spikers to improve to a 13-1 record on their way to the Final Four.
Cruz had 17 points while Mercado added 15 markers as La Salle kept its poise against the resilient Tigresses, who fought back from a 12-19 deficit in the second to win the set in a tiebreak.
That energized UST as it also took the third set, 25-18, and looked headed for the win.
But Cruz and Mercado took over the final two sets in the no-bearing game that was an entertaining rematch of last season’s championship series.
La Salle broke free from a 10-10 deadlock, with Stephanie Mercado scoring twice and Michelle Gumabao finishing the game with a kill.
Aiza Maizo had 20 points while Judy Caballejo contributed 17 markers for UST, which slipped to 10-4. But the Tigresses still hold a twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four over Adamson on Wednesday.
In the second game, Adamson solidified its hold on third spot, defeating Ateneo, 25-14, 25-21, 25-16.
Angela Benting finished with 19 points while Ma. Paulina Soriano added 12 points as the Lady Falcons took their ninth victory in 14 games.
“I’m happy that Angela and Pau brought their A-grade games," Adamson coach Dulce Pante said.
The Lady Eagles, who dropped to 8-6, will face La Salle in the semifinal round with the Lady Archers carrying a twice-to-beat advantage.
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