The University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses swept the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, 25-20, 25-21, 25-18, to secure their fifth consecutive Final Four appearance in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament on Wednesday, April 23, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

Em Banagua was hailed as the player of the game, producing a block party of 12 points built on eight blocks and four attacks.

Meanwhile, Angge Poyos provided enough firepower, crunching in 19 points off 18 kills and an ace to punch the Tigresses their semi-final ticket.

UST unleashed an 8-4 blitz in the opening set through the offensive prowess of Banagua, Reg Jurado, and Poyos, 17-9.

The Fighting Maroons responded with a 7-1 rally courtesy of Joan Monares, Kassandra Doering, and Kianne Olango to cut the lead to two, 18-16.

A crosscourt attack from Jurado stopped the rallying Fighting Maroons on their tracks and helped the Golden Tigresses seal the first frame, 25-20.

The second canto saw both teams lock in as they exchanged conversions until the 20-all mark after back-to-back errors from the side of UST.

Poyos and Banagua delivered for the Golden Tigresses in the clutch, registering the last five markers they needed to secure a two-set edge, 25-21.

The España-based squad remained aggressive in the third frame as they turned a two-point lead in the early minutes into a dominant 17-10 advantage as UP found themselves unable to counter the Golden Tigresses offensively and defensively.

The Fighting Maroons were unable to trim their six-point deficit as a Yesha Noceja net fault was followed by a down-the-line attack from Mabeth Hilongo, giving UST their ninth victory this season, 25-18.

Niña Ytang served as the lone hero for the Fighting Maroons with 16 points on 13 attacks and three blocks.

This victory boosts UST’s chance of securing a twice-to-beat advantage as they improved their win-loss record to 9-4 and moved up to second place in the standings.

The Golden Tigresses will try to solidify their grip on the second spot as they collide with the National University Lady Bulldogs on Sunday, April 27, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.