UST Golden Tigresses knocks out FEU Lady Tamaraws to seal Final Four cast 

When the pressure peaked and elimination loomed, the championship pedigree of University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses surfaced once again.

The Golden Tigresses carved out a hard-earned 16-25, 25-20, 25-18, 25-16 victory over Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws in their do-or-die playoff clash on Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, securing the final spot in the UAAP Season 88 Final Four and extending their streak to six consecutive semifinal appearances.

FEU struck first, stealing the opening set and briefly threatening to extend UST’s season. But once the Tigresses found their rhythm, the match shifted sharply in their favor as they controlled the next three frames with improved defense and a steadier offensive flow.

Leading the turnaround was Angge Poyos, who delivered a commanding all-around performance with 26 points built on 22 attacks and four blocks, alongside seven excellent receptions and five digs. 

Her timely scoring and defensive presence anchored UST’s recovery after a disappointing reverse sweep loss to defending champion National University just days earlier.

“Sobrang saya lang din talaga kasi pinaghandaan namin ‘tong game na ‘to. Masakit man yung pagkatalo namin nung last Wednesday pero nag move-on kaagad kami, talagang tinrabaho namin, and yung effort ng bawa’t isa talaga nakita naman…Grateful na nakuha namin yung panalo today and sana magtuloy-tuloy na sa Final Four,” Poyos, Season 86 Rookie of the Year said.

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POST-SZN HAMPASAN

Get ready for more sideouts and staredowns as the #UAAPSeason88 Volleyball Tournament postseason rolls out, featuring the Men’s Division Final Four and the Women’s Division Stepladder starting this April 29 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum!… pic.twitter.com/Qz9LKi6jZX

— The UAAP (@uaap_official) April 26, 2026

The support cast also stepped up in a balanced team effort. Reg Jurado added 11 points and 12 digs, while Xyza Gula contributed nine points with steady floor defense of 11 digs and seven receptions. 

Meanwhile, setter Cassie Carballo kept the offense steady with 21 excellent sets, two points, and seven digs, ensuring UST maintained control in the latter stages of the match.

Captain Detdet Pepito once again provided defensive stability, tallying 15-of-17 excellent receptions and 18 digs out of 27 attempts.

“Alam naman nating ngayong season, sobrang unpredictable — lahat kayang manalo. Grateful lang ako sa coaches na grabe yung tiyaga sa amin, at saka sa teammates ko na iniyakan ko kagabi pa lang na, please ayaw ko pang mag pro,” Pepito said.

With the win, UST now shifts its focus to a stepladder showdown against third-seeded Adamson University on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. 

A victory would send them to face defending champion National University, with the winner earning a Finals clash against unbeaten La Salle in a best-of-three championship series.

For FEU, the defeat marked the end of its campaign in fifth place, missing the Final Four for the first time in two seasons. Gerzel Petallo led the Lady Tamaraws with 14 points, while Tin Ubaldo closed her collegiate stint with 15 excellent sets in her final game.

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