Eya Laure exploded with 31 markers off 30 attacks and one ace on top of her 14 excellent receptions as she delivered the clutch hits through a rough fourth set after UST gave up five match points. 

“Syempre patatagan talaga ng isip at dibdib talaga. Sinabi ko lang din habang nagha-huddle kami sa gitna na walang duwag na tigre,” Laure said. 

Laure started strong in the opening set, scoring nine points as UST racked on a 6-2 closing run for the early upper hand, 25-19.

Come the second canto, KC Galdones and Imee Hernandez backed Laure as the two delivered the finishing touches that highlighted the Golden Tigresses’ 4-2 spurt for a 25-21 edge.

It was a different story for the Growling Tigers in the third set as they were haunted with unforced errors, including a Ypril Tapia attack error that gave Ateneo the set, 31-29.

UST got back immediately at the fourth set as Hernandez kept Ateneo at bay before Galdones scored a kill block followed by an off-the-block kill by Laure that sealed the win. 

Hernandez was also instrumental in the win with 14 markers from 13 spikes and one block, Galdones added 12 points, and Tapia chipped in 11 markers. 

Faith Nisperos led Ateneo with 22 points from 20 attacks and two blocks while Vanie Gandler finished with 18 points, all from spikes.

The Blue Eagles now fell to 3-4, tied with the University of the Philippines for fifth.