The UST Golden Tigresses survived the DLSU Lady Spikers in a five-set thriller, 25-18, 25-23, 14-25, 16-25, 15-12, to notch their third straight win in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament on Feb. 25, at the Mall of Asia Arena.

After the Lady Spikers drifted off to a 9-12 lead in the fifth set, Angeline Poyos prompted the Tigresses’ 6-0 run with an attack through the hands of Thea Gagate of the Lady Spikers to spark UST’s finishing burst.

Gagate committed a crucial attack error, putting up UST, 13-12, preceded by a service ace by Cassie Carballo and the winning dump by Margaret Banagua.

The Lady Spikers came alive in the third set and unleashed 16 attacks and four blocks to down UST, 25-14.

DLSU continued to dominate the game in the fourth set as UST struggled to execute offensive plays, having only seven attack points, 25-16.

“Talagang pinaghandaan namin and sabi nga namin, labanan talaga ito ng kung sinong gustong manalo so mas gusto namin manalo this time,“ said UST team captain Bernadett Pepito.

Jonna Perdido kept the yellow squad afloat, delivering a career-high 24 points from 21 attacks and three blocks. Meanwhile, Poyos chipped in 22 points.

The Lady Spikers absorbed their first loss, slipping to a 2-1 record, tied with the FEU Tamaraws in second place.

The Tigresses will look to stretch their winning streak against the Lady Tamaraws next on March 3.—With reports from MJ Jadormio