Katty Kwan of St. Benilde (center) attempts for a kill but is foiled by Adamson University defenders during their Shakey’s V League duel last Tuesday at The Arena in San Juan City. The Lady Falcons won, 25-23, 26-24, 25-16. (Photo by BOB DUNGO JR.)

Games Friday (The Arena, San Juan)
2 p.m. — FEU vs Ateneo
4 p.m. — CSB vs SSC

University of Santo Tomas overhauled a six-point deficit in a thrilling fourth set battle to turn back Ateneo, 25-23, 27-27, 19-25, 25-20, and claim the first quarterfinal berth in the sixth Shakey’ s V League Tuesday night at The Arena in San Juan City.

Rookie Maru Banaticla produced another stellar performance with 15 points, including four crucial hits in the Tigresses’ mighty run in the fourth as UST bucked a third set lapse to cruise to its eighth straight quarterfinal stint since joining the league in 2004.

Angeli Tabaquero, returning from a two-conference hiatus, also fired 15 points, 14 coming from attacks, while team captain Aiza Maizo added 13 as the Tigresses stretched their unbeaten run to five in the tournament presented by Shakey’s.

“Pasok na kami sa quarterfinals pero hindi dapat ganito ang laro namin sa quarterfinals,” said UST mentor Shaq Delos Santos of his squad, which is looking for its fifth title. “Pero hindi rin sila focus ngayon dahil na rin nakafocus sila sa exam dahil finals week ngayon.”

“Pero magandang panalo na rin ito bago kami umalis para sumali sa UniGames,” added Delos Santos whose squad will miss two weeks as it will compete in the National University Games starting this weekend.

UST will be back on November 3 against College of St. Benilde.

The Lady Eagles, appeared headed to forcing a deciding fifth set when they zoomed to a 9-3 lead behind the forays of Fille Cainglet and Angeline Gevacio.

The Tigresses, however, fought back ferociously to win the match.

In the second game, Adamson University gave the debuting College of St. Benilde a rude welcome as the Lady Falcons thumped the Lady Blazers, 25-23, 26-24, 25-16.

Adamson drew strength from Angela Benting and Paulina Soriano to put away the spirited stand of the Lady Blazers, who hung tough in the first two sets before running out of gas.