Em Banagua hosts block party as UST finalizes UAAP Final Four cast, eliminates UP

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Em Banagua shines on the defensive end as the UST Golden Tigresses reach the UAAP women's volleyball tournament Final Four for the fifth straight time and fuel their hunt for a twice-to-beat bonus

MANILA, Philippines – The Final Four cast of the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament is set.

That is after the UST Golden Tigresses crushed the UP Fighting Maroons’ semifinal bid after a rousing 25-20, 25-21, 25-18 win at the Mall of Asia Arena on Wednesday, April 23.

Em Banagua shone as the Tigresses improved to 9-4 and reached the Final Four for the fifth straight time, tallying a whopping 8 blocks and totaling 12 points in the swift victory that took just 1 hour and 30 minutes to finish. 

With the Maroons’ loss, the La Salle Lady Spikers (8-4) and the FEU Lady Tamaraws (8-5) also claimed their spots in the playoffs, joining the league-leading NU Lady Bulldogs (11-2).

Angge Poyos churned out a game-high 19 points as UST — refreshed after a lengthy Holy Week break — not only extended its Final Four streak but also fueled its hunt for a twice-to-beat advantage.

“We’re well-prepared physically, mentally, and spiritually. Our confidence level got higher,” said Tigresses head coach Kungfu Reyes.

The victory marked the fourth straight for UST, which endured a skid of three consecutive defeats bridging the first and second rounds.

After surviving the Adamson Soaring Falcons in a five-setter, the Tigresses have turned their fortunes around, winning all their last three games against via sweep.

“We’re on the right track,” said Reyes.

Regina Jurado chimed in 13 points for UST, while libero Detdet Pepito tallied 23 excellent digs in another masterful defensive performance.

Nina Ytang put up 16 points for UP, which dropped to 6-7 and missed the Final Four for the seventh time in a row.

The Maroons have enjoyed a significantly better run this year after a dismal 1-13 campaign last season, but losses to lower-ranked teams, including a pair against seventh-placed Ateneo (4-9), doomed their semifinal chase.

Kassy Doering, Joan Marie Monares, and Kianne Olango had 7 points apiece in the loss. – Rappler.com