Following their successful #UAAPSeason86 Final Four revenge against the DLSU Lady Spikers, the UST Golden Tigresses dedicate their victory to their seniors of Season 85.
It was Season 85 when the UST Golden Tigresses, led by the iconic kapitana Eya Laure, pulled off a remarkable performance in the history of collegiate volleyball after handling the undefeated DLSU Lady Spikers, their first loss of the season, and slayed their hopes of a sweep and a stepladder playoff.
The black and gold squad outsmarted the girls from Taft in a nail-biting four-setter to halt their nine-game winning streak.
But the championship was not destined for the UST by that time in Season 85.
The DLSU returned with a vengeance and tamed the fiery UST girls in four sets and, eventually, and won the gold against the NU Lady Bulldogs.
And now, it was a blast from the past for the UST Golden Tigresses.
Only this time, they are now on the winning side of the fence after dethroning the formidable defending champions, DLSU, to book their Finals ticket.
The Tigresses started the eliminations with a golden 7-0 sweep in Round 1, ending with a 12-2 record and a twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four. It was their best record since 2010.
Every serve, spike, and block were made tribute to the esteemed legacy of their seniors.
“Unbelievable po 'yong feeling. Lalo ako kasi nasanay ako na lagi kong ka-teammate si Ate Eya [Laure]. Syempre nando’n ‘yong pagdududa na paano na ‘yong team? Tapos parang napili akong captain ball. Parang … sure ka coach? Ewan ko ba. Pero ayun. Dinededicate po namin sa mga seniors. Naibawi namin kayo, ates,” emotionally said team captain Detdet Pepito in a press conference.
The UST community has not fallen short of support for the women’s volleyball team since the start of the season.
From former captain balls, Eya Laure, Sisi Rondina, and Aiza Maizo-Pontillas, to the anonymous alumni who sponsored the customized USTe Kobe 8 Protos, up until the seas of yellow tigers who have been non-tirelessly chanting “Go, USTe!” in the arenas.
“I’m very proud of you, guys. Pagpatuloy niyo lang ‘yang ganiyang attitude kasi lalong-lalo na ngayon na nagsisimula pa lang sila [Angge] Poyos, and gusto ko lang iparating sa inyo na, lahat kami proud sa inyo, and ‘wag na ‘wag kayong lumimot sa mga taong tumulong sa inyo,” heartfelt message from Sisi.
The support for the UST squad also transcends into the online world, as former Tigress and now volleyball analyst Mela Tunay, along with other alumni, are already planning to buy a Game 1 Final ticket right after the UST defeated DLSU for a twice-to-beat advantage.
“Our alumni gc being active rn. Generations of Tigresses [are] all congratulating the coaches and players tapos dahil advance kami mag-isip, ticket na agad ang concern namin baket HAHAHAHA,” jokingly tweeted Mela.
The battle may not be over. The last spot for the finals remains open between the revenge-seeking NU Lady Bulldogs and the hopeful FEU Lady Tamaraws.
But there is one thing for sure: the UST Golden Tigresses, feistier than ever, will do anything to bring back the crown to España.