The University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses failed to capitalize against the De La Salle Lady Spikers, 25-23, 20-25, 28-30, 27-29, in the UAAP Season 87 women's volleyball tournament playoff match on Wednesday, April 30, at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The win denied UST a twice-to-beat advantage in their virtual Best-of-Three clash in the Final Four.

Angge Poyos led the Tigresses with 24 points built on 23 attacks and a block, while Reg Jurado finished with 12 points built on seven attacks and five aces during the match.

The Golden Tigresses got off to a hot start with three attack points from Poyos that put UST ahead of DLSU by the first technical timeout, 8-4.

The Tigresses continued to command the court with sharp attacks from Pia Abbu, and Poyos helped push the lead to five points, 23-18.

A reaching violation brought out the set point for UST while an attack from Poyos gave the Tigresses the opening set, 25-23.

Both teams justled for the lead in the second canto, but Lady Spikers captain Angel Canino rallied DLSU as she pumped in three attacks to give them a four-point lead, 13-17.

DLSU continued to hold their momentum as a double block followed by a point from Alleiah Malaluan tied the match at one set apiece, 20-25.

An early three-point deficit turned into a five-point lead for the Golden Tigresses when Jurado sparked a 6-1 run in the middle of the set, 18-13.

DLSU overturned their deficit through the efforts of Canino and extended the set off a service error from Abbu, 24-24.

Canino continued to hammer down on the Golden Tigresses and sealed the frame for the Lady Spikers, 28-30.

UST was down by two points, 9-11, midway through the set, before catching up and taking the lead through a 5-0 run fueled by a smart dump from Cassie Carballo, 17-13.

DLSU produced a 5-0 run to return from a four-point deficit and extend the set, 24-24.

Laput committed a service error late in the set to give the Tigresses a set point, but DLSU’s heavy firepower proved too much for the Tigresses, ultimately giving the Lady Spikers the twice-to-beat advantage 27-29.

Canino led the Lady Spikers in their win with 24 points built on 19 attacks, four blocks, and a service ace.

The Golden Tigresses must claw two consecutive wins against DLSU in their semi-final matchup to be within striking distance of the UAAP volleyball crown.

The first Final Four tango will happen on Saturday, May 3, at 6:00 p.m., at the Araneta Coliseum.