Peaking up at the right time, the Tigresses, who scrambled their way in the elims to advance, eye a sweep of the first round of the double-round semis phase and hope to go into a week-long break with at least a one-game lead over their nearest rivals.
With utility spiker Joyce Paño back in harness, the Tigresses racked up seven wins in row, including two in the semifinals against the San Sebastian Lady Stags and the Ateneo Lady Eagles that put the defending champions on top of the heap in this tournament sponsored by Shakey’s Pizza.
The power-hitting Paño proved to be the missing link when UST struggled midway in the elims and her return only made the España-based spikers tougher what with Roxanne Pimentel, Mary Jean Balse, Venus Bernal and Kate Co Yu Kang in the fold.
The Tigresses, however, are expecting a tough outing against the Lady Archers in their 5 p.m. encounter.
"We all know that La Salle is a tough team to beat," said UST coach August Sta. Maria. "That is why I told my players to play tougher, smarter and work harder."
La Salle, which trounced UST to win the second conference crown in this event backed by Accel, Mikasa, Dunkin’ Donuts, IBC-13 and Jemah Television, bowed to Ateneo in its first semis game but roared back with a 25-20, 25-15, 25-16 victory over San Sebastian Monday to catch Ateneo in second place with 1-1 (win-loss) slates.
The Lady Eagles, for their part, gun for a second win against the Lady Stags, who remained winless in two games, at 3 p.m.
The Ateneo-San Sebastian match will be telecast at 7 tonight on IBC-13 while the UST-La Salle encounter will be aired tomorrow, also starting at 7 p.m.