UST advances to next round of UAAP Final Four step-ladder upsetting higher-ranked Adamson 

For weeks, the University of Santo Tomas lived in Adamson’s shadow. When it mattered most, the Golden Tigresses stepped out of it.

UST delivered its most complete performance of the season, dismantling the very team that had owned them in the eliminations, sweeping Adamson University, 25-16, 25-18, 25-19, to keep its UAAP Season 88 title hopes alive in the stepladder phase at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The result wasn’t just a win—it was a statement. After getting swept twice by the Lady Falcons in the eliminations, UST came into the knockout match with a different look: sharper, more connected, and far more relentless. 

The Golden Tigresses dictated the tempo early and never allowed Adamson to settle into the same rhythm that once gave them control of the matchup.

“Credit sa players namin. Grabe ‘yung effort na ginawa. Actually, hindi naman todo-todo ‘yung training pero mas inaral lang kung ano ‘yung tamang galaw, mas nagkaroon ng communication, saka ‘yung effort na mag-all-out sa game,” said UST head coach Shaq Delos Santos.

That attention to detail showed up where it mattered most—defense, composure, and timely runs.  

UST turned tight stretches into breakaway moments, flipping slim deficits into commanding leads in both the second and third sets. 

The Golden Tigresses’ ability to string together unanswered points exposed Adamson’s cracks, particularly as their top scorers struggled to find efficiency.

At the heart of it all was captain-libero Detdet Pepito, who orchestrated UST’s defensive stand with precision and poise.

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BREAKTHROUGH

After being swept by Adamson in the elimination round, the UST Golden Tigresses finally get the job done, taking down the Lady Falcons in their stepladder semis knockout match in the #UAAPSeason88 women’s volleyball tournament.#LegendsStartHere pic.twitter.com/llZyHIPs3p

— One Sports (@OneSportsPHL) April 29, 2026

“Although hindi namin inexpect na ganito kabilis ‘yung laro, sobrang happy lang talaga dahil tiniyaga talaga ng lahat, especially coaches and teammates ko. Sobrang saya lang, hindi ko pa rin alam kung totoo ba ito dahil kagabi, nakatulog na ko kakadasal kay Lord paulit-ulit na sana ibigay ito sa amin,” she shared.

UST’s offense followed suit, with Angge Poyos leading the charge and a steady stream of contributions coming from Regina Jurado, Jonna Perdido, and Avril Bron. Every rotation brought a new answer, every rally a renewed push.

For Adamson, the loss marked a frustrating end to what had been a breakthrough season. After returning to the Final Four for the first time in three years, the Lady Falcons found themselves unable to replicate their earlier mastery over UST, settling for fourth place despite a promising core that remains intact.

Meanwhile, the Golden Tigresses move forward with momentum—and belief.

This marks their second straight do-or-die victory after surviving Far Eastern University in a playoff just days prior. Now, they face their toughest test yet: a showdown with second-seeded National University, a team that swept them in the eliminations, with a Finals berth on the line.

Standing at the end of the road is unbeaten La Salle, waiting after a dominant 14-0 campaign.

But if UST has proven anything in this stepladder run, it’s that the past doesn’t guarantee the future.

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