By Franchesca Nicole Collantes
PASAY CITY - The UST Golden Tigresses booked a Finals appearance and ended their eight-year drought after beating the three-time defending champion DLSU Lady Spikers in a thrilling five-set match, 25-19, 25-19, 20-25, 23-25, 15-10, in the UAAP Season 81 Women's Volleyball Final Four match, Sunday night at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Rookie Eya Laure led the Golden Tigresses' win by contributing 25 points with 21 spikes, two aces and two blocks while graduating captain Sisi Rondina chipped in 17 points on 14 spikes, two service aces, and 10 excellent receptions.
Graduating Libero Rica Rivera also chipped in 21 excellent digs and 10 excellent receptions.
Setter Alina Bicar contributed 23 excellent sets and 15 excellent digs and middle blocker Caitlin Viray chipped in 10 points with four blocks in the Tigresses match against the Lady Spikers.
The Golden Tigresses also stopped the 10-year finals appearance streak and the quest for a four-peat crown of the Lady Spikers.
Rookie Jolina dela Cruz led the Lady Spikers with 12 points and 16 excellent receptions.
In her first and last year as a Lady Spiker, Des Clemente chipped in seven points in her last game.
Graduating captain Desiree Cheng also chipped in 10 points with three service aces and 13 excellent digs in her last game as a Lady Spiker.
The UST Golden Tigresses will face the winner of the do-or-die match between the Ateneo Lady Eagles and the FEU Lady Tamaraws on May 8, Wednesday, at the Filoil Flying V Centre.
UAAP Season 81 Women's Volleyball Finals Game 1 will be on May 11, Saturday, 4 p.m., at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
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