MANILA, Philippines — Defending champions National University (NU) secured a vital advantage in the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball tournament after a thrilling come-from-behind victory over the University of Santo Tomas (UST) on Wednesday, April 22, 2026.
The Lady Bulldogs rallied from two sets down to defeat the Golden Tigresses in a five-set marathon, 19-25, 23-25, 25-18, 25-18, 15-13, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. The win solidifies NU’s position as the No. 2 seed and grants them an automatic bye in the first round of the stepladder semifinals.
- The Comeback: After dropping the first two sets to a resilient UST squad, NU found their rhythm in the third and fourth, forcing a decider.
- The Clincher: In a tense fifth set, seasoned hitter Vange Alinsug delivered the game-winning kill after UST’s Angge Poyos sent an off-pace attack wide.
- Standout Performers:
- Arah Panique: Led the charge with a career-high 24 points (21 attacks, 2 blocks, 1 ace).
- Sam Cantada: The standout rookie contributed 20 points, while providing elite floor defense with 17 excellent receptions and 9 digs.
- Lams Lamina: Masterfully orchestrated the offense with 24 excellent sets.
With the elimination round concluding, the UAAP Season 88 stepladder semifinals are now set:
- De La Salle (No. 1): Outright finalists with a thrice-to-beat advantage.
- National University (No. 2): Clinched the second seed and a week-long break. They will wait for the winner of the lower bracket matches.
- Adamson (No. 3): Holds the third spot.
- UST & FEU (Tied for 4th): Both finished with an 8-6 record. They will face off in a sudden-death knockout match for the right to play Adamson.
NU head coach Regine Diego expressed immense pride in her team’s growth throughout the season’s challenges.
“I’m very proud… we proved we can fight until the end. These players aren’t made yet, they’re still gaining experience. But you can really see how fast they’re growing with every game.”
The Lady Bulldogs now have more than a week to “rest and recalibrate” before the battle for the second finals slot begins on May 2, 2026. Meanwhile, UST will have to regroup quickly as they prepare for their do-or-die match against the Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws.