UST completes sweep of elims

Games on Sunday (The Arena, San Juan)
2 p.m. - FEU vs Ateneo
4 p.m. - SSC vs Adamson

"I'm happy."

That's the short but meaningful reply of ex-University of Santo Tomas coach August Sta. Maria when pressed for comment after watching the Tigresses complete a seven-game sweep of the elimination round in the Shakey's V League Friday at The Arena in San Juan.

Inspired by the presence of the multi-titled coach, the Tigresses scored a swift 25-11, 25-10, 25-15 win over NCAA champion San Sebastian.

Wearing eye glasses and cap and aided by a cane, Sta. Maria could not hide his delight over the performance of the Tigresses whom he saw for the first time after leaving the squad in 2007 after he suffered a stroke.

With the right part of his frail body and face still paralyzed, Sta. Maria could hardly speak and walk but his joy was evident as he grinned from the stands each time a UST played scored or made a successful block.

Sta. Maria is credited for giving the school three V-League titles and producing a number of national players.

"We dedicate this win to coach August," said now UST coach Shaq Delos Santos, who hasn't let his mentor down after steering the squad to a runner up finish last year and the school's fourth title early this year. "It's good to see him again."
What was expected to be a tough and close encounter, the Tigresses transformed it into a virtual workout as they needed just 59 minutes to wrap up the match.

It was the quickest win so far in the tournament.

The Tigresses built leads as many as 14 in the first set, 15 in the second before playing it smart in the third to remain on track for a sweep of the twin titles this season presented by Shakey's Pizza and organized by Sports Vision.

Skipper Aiza Maizo and Angeli Tabaquero spearheaded the onslaught with 15 points each as UST underscored its domination by firing 41 kills from 100 tries against SSC's paltry 17 in 99 attempts.

So disappointing was SSC's showing that none of its players scored more than five points as it dropped to 5-2 for solo third.

Meanwhile, Far Eastern University hopes to sustain the momentum of its impressive elims campaign as it battles Ateneo-OraCare at the start of the quarterfinal round at 2 p.m. this Sunday at The Arena.

The second-running Lady Tams (6-1) seek a repeat win over the Lady Eagles as they try to firm up their bid for a spot in the Final Four.

FEU tripped Ateneo, 3-1, in the elims last Oct. 23 with the Lady Tams going on to finish with their best-ever start in the league backed by Mikasa, Accel, Mighty Bond, and OraCare.

San Sebastian, meanwhile, tries to recover lost grounds as it battles Adamson at 4 p.m.