Pivotal weekend for Lady Spikers, Tigresses with final semis rankings at stake
University of Santo Tomas (UST) is in the UAAP women’s volleyball semifinals for a fifth straight season. And this weekend, it will be all about hoping and praying on Saturday and then doing all the work the following day to get the last twice-to-beat bonus in the Final Four.
La Salle’s task is the opposite, as the Lady Spikers work for a win over Far Eastern first before hoping that defending champion National U takes the fight out of the Growling Tigresses on Sunday.
That’s the scenario as the final rankings are to be determined—or get to see another playdate. But win or lose, the Tigresses have proven that UST has one of the most consistent programs in the league.
“Actually, when 2019 was mentioned, it got me thinking,” said team captain Detdet Pepito, recalling a light moment in the postgame chat after her team’s breezy win over University of the Philippines, as she was seen counting something with her fingers. “I was surprised, because it means UST really has a consistent system.
“It’s no joke to reach the Final Four [successively] that many times, especially with schools improving each year,” she added. “I’m just happy and proud because I’m one of the players who got to be part of UST’s consistency in making the Final Four.”
Pepito was still in high school when that streak started, before becoming a fixture of the women’s program that has steadily produced top-tier players.
Changing the trend
Consequently, she also bore witness to a shifting competitive landscape, though UST, La Salle and National U have been perennially present in the Final Four through those seasons, with the Tigresses the only ones not winning it all.
Santo Tomas is now on a mission to shake up that trend—even if the road this year has been anything but smooth.
A three-game slide in the middle of the season served as a reality check, before four straight wins got the Tigresses back on track.
The key, Pepito said, was letting go of the weight of performing under the shadow of last year’s silver-medal finish.
“We were under pressure thinking, ‘Oh, we finished silver last season, so we can’t be losing like this,’” Pepito said. “I think that had a bad side effect.”
A new frame of mind—reinforced by sacrifice—cut a path for the Tigresses to replenish the belief in themselves.
“Our hope to make the Final Four came alive again,” she said. “We never stopped dreaming. And of course, a dream has to come with hard work, because nothing will happen by just dreaming.”
Such a mindset has carried UST into its most pivotal weekend yet.
This Saturday at Smart Araneta Coliseum, eliminated Ateneo and University of the East kick things off at 1 p.m., seeking a win that they can use for their rebuild. Then, at 3 p.m., all eyes shift to the La Salle-Far Eastern match that is crucial for both.
Santo Tomas will be watching closely, and its players already know they have to do their part on Sunday.
From stumbling to surging, the Tigresses will now have a chance to come out swinging.
And this time, for more.
