Tigresses halt Agilas’ run, make quarters

MANILA, Philippines - University of Santo Tomas fought back from a set down and swept the next three as it stopped Davao, 23-25, 25-22, 25-19, 25-17, to formalize its stint in the quarterfinal round of the Shakey’s V-League Season 11 First Conference at The Arena in San Juan yesterday.

Failing to shake off the streaking Agilas in the opening set, the Tigresses settled down and imposed their will and strength in the next then pressed their bid in the third and fourth frames to fashion out the one-hour, 49-minute triumph.

It was UST’s third straight win since dropping a five-setter to defending champion National U as it forged a tie with Davao at second heading to tomorrow’s final elims playdate where it will go for a fourth win in a row against ousted reigning NCAA champion Perpetual Help.

The loss snapped Davao’s amazing three-game streak that included a shock four-set win over NU last Thursday but the Agilas, making their first stint in the country’s premier women’s volley league sponsored by Shakey’s, remained upbeat of their chances against the fancied teams in the fold.

Adamson, meanwhile, capped its stirring fightback from 0-1 with a sweep of its last four games, including a 25-9, 25-19, 27-25 win over St. Benilde later in the day.

Mylene Paat and Thai reinforcement Pacharee Sangmuang fired 10 hits apiece as top hitters Shiela Pineda and Pau Soriano took a rest in preparation for the Lady Falcons’ quarters drive.

Adamson thus finished tied with Arellano and Ateneo at the end of the single round elims at 4-1 in Group A. Despite the loss, St. Benilde took the last quarters seat at 2-3.

Carmela Tunay and Pam Lastimosa took over for UST and combined for 39 hits as erstwhile top scorer rookie sensation Ennajie Laure was held to just nine markers after averaging 19 points in three games.