By Abby Toralba
AFTER claiming a spot in the Final Four for the third straight season, University of Santo Tomas is now focusing its sights on the second twice-to-beat advantage in the 85th UAAP women’s volleyball tournament.
Standing on the path of the Golden Tigresses is defending champion National University, which like UST has a 9-3 record for second, behind the 12-1 of Final Four top seed La Salle.
UST battles NU in a crucial match tomorrow, Wednesday, with the winner expected to gain a big edge in the mad rush for the second twice-to-beat edge in the Final Four.
After the Lady Bulldogs, the Golden Tigresses are up against also-ran University of the Philippine Fighting Maroons on Sunday.
The Eya Laure-skippered UST side completed the Final Four cast last Sunday, eliminating Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws via 26-24, 22-25, 25-16, 25-23 win.
“Parehas kami ng National University na gustong manalo. Nandito na kami sa Top 4 pero may ranking pa. Kung sino man ang manalo sa amin, ang laki ng chance sa top 2. Kung mananalo kami, ang taas ng percentage na kami ang makakuha ng number 2 spot,” said UST head tactician Kungfu Reyes.
Reyes said having clinched a Top Four slot, they are aiming higher but admitted it won’t be easy.
Graduating outside hitter Laure knows what’s on the line for the Golden Tigresses, and she’s eager to come up with everything she could muster.
“Syempre, iyong kumpiyansa and iyong confidence namin na meron kami ngayon, na kung sino man ang tumapak sa court magpe-perform at gagalaw, magta-trabaho. Iyon siguro naman iyong pinaka-importante na once na pinasok ka at nilista ka ni coach sa (starting players) papel, nandoon ka na, kailangan prepared ka,” Laure said.
“Sa bawat game, lalo na sa NU sa susunod naming game, NU iyan, defending champion iyan. Andiyan iyong mentality nila na hindi sila magpapatalo, na gagawin nila iyong best din nila. Sa amin, paghahandaan namin sila,” she added.
