V-Day for UST? Tigresses gun for V-League history

University of Santo Tomas never had it so good. It’s been more than a decade since the last time the España-based school experienced a festive celebration when its basketball team won a rare four-peat in the UAAP. This time, it’s UST's volleyball team which is on threshold of history. Will it be Victory Day for the Tigresses, who are seeking a date with destiny for volleyball’s glory? The Tigresses gun for a sweep and a rare three-peat against the San Sebastian Lady Stags in Game 2 of the 7th Shakey's V-League First Conference finals at The Arena in San Juan. The Tigresses bucked the absence of Angeli Tabaquero as veteran Mary Jean Balse and Aiza Maizo led their team to a 25-21, 22-25, 25-20, 25-15 victory and move one step closer to a record sixth league title. If UST completes a sweep, it will become the second team to win three straight titles since the league began in 2004. La Salle was the first team to do such feat from 2004-06. A full-size crowd is expected to gather at The Arena where supporters clad in gold anticipating a celebration. UST hopes to ride on the momentum of Game 1 win. Balse, a former MVP and a many-time member of the national team, came away with 16 points while Maizo added 15 markers in the win that was played in one-hour and 41 minutes. The two are expected to lead the Tigresses' anew but they will have to do it minus Tabaquero, who left early in the first set after a bad fall. She was immediately rushed to the UST hospital for an MRI. Without Tabaquero, one of the sport's popular players, Maika Ortiz, who finished with 12 points in Game 1, Rhea Dimuculangan and guest player Michelle Carolino will have to step up. Despite being shorthanded with the departure of one of the team’s best players, signs are very encouraging for the Tigresses as eight of the 10 teams which won Game 1 went on to win the title. Survival will be the name of the game for the Lady Stags, who are hoping to snatch this one and forge a rubber match on Thursday. But their local players must provide big support for Thai guest player Jeng Bualee. Suzanne Roces, named as the Conference MVP, was held to just 11 points after a 32-point showing in San Sebastian's semifinal clincher over Ateneo while Joy Benito had 10. - RCJ, GMANews.TV