DESPITE missing the services of super rookie Angge Poyos, University of Santo Tomas still dispatched University of the Philippines, 25-14, 25-13, 28-30, 25-15, to bolster its chances of securing a twice-to-beat bonus in the UAAP women’s volleyball Final Four at the Mall of Asia Arena yesterday.

It was lefty spikers Jonna Perdido and Regina Jurado who made all things happen for the Tigresses in the victory to regain the top spot at 10-1.

UST is locked in a three-way battle with defending champion La Salle (9-1) and National University, which rose to 9-2 following a 25-22, 25-16, 25-15 conquest of Ateneo, in the heated race for two twice-to-beat slots in the Final Four.

Perdido and Jurado shared the scoring mantle for the Tigresses with 24 points.

“Ni-remind ko lang din talaga yung team kung sino yung pinanghuhugutan namin, kung para kanino itong kailangan namin ipanalo. Luckily, nagrespond naman po ng positive,” said UST captain-libero Det Pepito, who collected 28 digs and nine receptions.

After saving five set points, the Tigresses ultimately fell in the third as Steph Bustrillo and Jewel Encarnacion went back-to-back for the 30-28 win for the Fighting Maroons to extend the match.

But in the fourth, UST returned to its smashing ways just like it did in the first and second sets to end the match in two hours and two minutes.

Xyza Gula, who ably filled the void left by Poyos, also had 12 points in the win while Cassie Carballo tossed in 19 excellent sets and six points, including two service aces.

“Nagstep up lang po kami and tinrabaho ko lang po yung responsibilidad ko. Yung panalo ay para po kay Angge and kay Em, yun yung naging motivation naming lahat,” said Perdido, who matched her career-high in points and collected eight digs and four receptions.

Poyos was feeling under the weather while rookie middle blocker Em Banagua missed her second consecutive match as she continues her rehab from a knee injury. Mae Coronado, stepping up in the absence of Banagua, logged a match-best four blocks.

Niña Ytang spearheaded UP’s charge with 14 points, including two blocks, while Bustrillo added 10 points, and had also two blocks.

The Fighting Maroons fell to their fourth straight loss, dropping to 1-10 overall.

Alyssa Solomon had 23 points, including four service aces, and collected eight digs, while Vange Alinusug added 15 points and 11 receptions for the Lady Bulldogs.

AC Miner, Lyann de Guzman and Yvanna Sulit each scored eight points for the Blue Eagles.

Ateneo fell to 3-8 and is three-and-a-half games behind Far Eastern University (6-4) in the chase for the remaining Final Four berth. The Blue Eagles also lost to the 2022 champions in the first round which went to five sets.

Meanwhile, four-peat-seeking NU booked its spot in the men’s volleyball Final Four after dispatching Ateneo, 25-22, 25-21, 25-19.

The Bulldogs, who are now at 9-2, also gave Far Eastern University (9-1) a free ride to the Final Four, leaving two tickets left.

“Sa ngayon sobrang importante yung game na ito kasi kailangan talaga namin manalo lalo sa sitwasyon ngayon na lahat ng teams sa taas halos dikit dikit na,” said NU coach Dante Alinsunurin.

First-year middle blocker PengTaguibolos led the balanced Bulldogs attack with 12 points on 9-of-13 attacks to go with three blocks while graduating outside spiker Nico Almendras added 10 points and 11 digs, while Obed Mukaba and Leo Aringo each delivered nine points.

UST generated more separation at the fourth spot with a 25-13, 25-22, 25-21 win over UP.

The third consecutive victory by the Golden Spikers brought them to 7-4, two games ahead of their closest pursuer the Blue Eagles (5-6), in the chase for the last Final Four berth.

“Yung nangyayari sa team namin medyo nakukuha na namin yung rhythm kasi yun yung naging problema namin nung first round. This time, napag-aralan na namin yun during the break so nafocus namin yung communication with each other,” saiddeputy coach Ben Mape, as UST limited its errors to just 17.

Josh Ybañez once again led the Golden Spikers with 23 points, including two service aces, along with 10 receptions and five digs, while GBoy De Vega backstopped the reigning MVP with 13 points and 11 receptions.