Tigresses outlast Lady Chiefs in five-set thriller

MANILA, Philippines -- Santo Tomas outlasted NCAA champion Arellano U in the fifth and deciding set to eke out a thrilling 25-21, 25-22, 19-25, 24-26, 15-12 victory, Sunday.

It was the former's third against a loss.

EJ Laure and Pam Lastimosa fired 23 and 18 hits, respectively, but the two shone the brightest by coming through late in the final set when the Tigresses broke out of a 12-all deadlock with the Lady Chiefs.

UST though nearly blew it as Arellano U drew strength from guest player Carmina Aganon and CJ Rosario to climb back from two sets deficit, forced a decider and rallied from  8-12 deficit to knot it at 12-all.

But Laure and Lastimosa came through as UST finished Arellano off.

"Good thing about my players is they never lose heart," said UST coach Kungfu Reyes.