MANILA, Philippines – University of Santo Tomas (UST) took a step towards their first Final 4 appearance since Season 74 after the Tigresses cruised past University of the Philippines (UP) in straight sets on Sunday.

The surprisingly comfortable 25-20, 25-21, 25-16 victory over the Lady Maroons gave UST an 8-5 win-loss record, which assured them of at least a playoff for a semis spot in the UAAP Season 79 women's volleyball tournament.

With just one game to go in their elimination round schedule, and an opportunity to secure the No. 3 seed against National University (NU) next Saturday, the Tigresses vow to go all out.

• READ: Tigresses secure at least a semis berth playoff

"Andito na kami, papasok na kami. Malaki na 'yung chance namin para sa Final 4," said UST coach Kungfu Reyes, who can steer the Tigresses to the postseason in only his second year in charge.

"Hindi na namin hahayaan na mawala pa sa kamay namin," he promised.

[We're almost there, and we have a good chance to make it to the Final 4. We won't let this opportunity slip from our grasp.]

UST has been on the brink of a Final 4 breakthrough before. They were tied with Far Eastern University (FEU) at 6-8 back in Season 77, but lost in the playoff for the fourth seed in a gritty five-set war.

This time around, however, they are in control of their destiny, as they are one full game ahead of the three other teams that are also chasing spots in the postseason – FEU, NU, and UP.

"Kaming apat ang naglalaban-labanan, at kung sino ang unang pumikit, unang kumurap, 'yun ang madidisgrasya," said Reyes.

[There are four teams fighting for the last two spots, and the first team to blink will lose.]

They avoided disaster on Sunday, and dealt UP a huge blow at the same time with their win, which snapped a five-match losing streak to the Lady Maroons.

"This time, medyo nakatukod ang toothpick sa mga mata namin para hindi bumaba, hindi kami mapapikit," said Reyes.

[We didn't falter this time around.]

The Tigresses themselves are relishing the chance to bring UST back to the playoffs, after the traditional UAAP powerhouse fell behind teams like De La Salle University, Ateneo de Manila University, and even NU in recent seasons.

"Stick to the goal pa rin, stick to the plan," said team captain Sisi Rondina. "At siyempre, ta-trabahuhin talaga namin, para mas maging maganda ang season namin ngayon."

"Siyempre, maraming aalis. Hindi man namin nabigyan 'yung seniors namin last year ng magandang legacy, maybe this year (kaya namin)," she added.

[We'll stick to our goal and to our plan. We'll work hard so we'll have a better season. Last year, we couldn't give our seniors a good sendoff, but we'll try to make up for that this year.]

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