Games Saturday
(The Arena in San Juan)
2 p.m. FEU vs UST (M)
4 p.m. UST vs La Salle (W)

University of Santo Tomas recovered from an opening set defeat to whip defending champion La Salle, 24-26, 25-23, 25-16, 25-21, in Game 1 of their title series in the 72nd UAAP women's volleyball tournament Wednesday at The Arena in San Juan.

Lefty Aiza Maizo powered the Tigresses of coach Shaq delos Santos with a game-high 21 points while power- hitting Angeli Tabaquero and lanky Aleona Denise Santiago added 16 and 10 points, respectively, at the start of their best-of-three title series.

It was the 11th consecutive victory for the España-based squad dating back to the elims which it highlighted with a victory over the Lady Archers. The defeat ended La Salle’s 13-game winning run on Valentine's Day. UST can finish off its bitter rival with another win on Saturday.

Stephanie Mercado, the league's third-leading scorer, topscored for the Ramil de Jesus-coached team with 24 points while Jacqueline Alarca and Charleen Cruz chipped in 15 and 11 points each.

Despite Mercado’s solid performance, the team’s 35 errors hastened the downfall of the Taft-based squad.

Meanwhile, Far Eastern University blanked Ateneo, 4-0, in the 13th round to clinch its fourth straight men’s crown in the UAAP chess tournament.

Lyndon Sombilon, Sheider Nebaso, Luffe Magdalagas and Kevin Mirano proved too classy for their rivals to claim the title with still one round left. The Tamaraws now have a commanding 38.5 points after La Salle bested second-running University of Santo Tomas, 3.5-0.5.

In the women’s side, the Lady Tamaraws stayed on top with 31 points following their 3-1 win over University of the Philippines