ISA Molde of University of the Philippines attacks the defense of Eya Laure and Tin Francisco of University of Santo Tomas during their Premier Volleyball League Season 2 Collegiate Conference yesterday at the Filoil Flying V Center. JOAQUI FLORES

University of Santo Tomas (UST) broke away in the third set to survive University of the Philippines, 22-25, 25-20, 25-18, 26-24, and stretch its winning run to four in the Premier Volleyball League Season 2 Collegiate Conference yesterday at the Filoil Flying V Center.

Stunned by the Lady Maroons’ strong start, the Tigresses fought back in the next three sets behind the big game of Eya Laure, Christine Francisco and Carla Sandoval to nail their fourth straight victory.

Laure, an incoming rookie, fired 12 kills, scored five aces and a kill block to finish with another solid 18-hit game while Francisco backed her up with 16 markers and Sandoval came off the bench to deliver 12 points for the España-based school.

UST overcame an 11-16 deficit in the fourth but lost a 21-19 led as UP struck back and forced a series standoffs, the last at 24.

But the Lady Maroons fell behind again on a service error and the Tigresses scored the match clinching point on Laure’s contested baseline hit.

Isa Molde and rookie Nicole Magsarile combined for 25 points for UP, which, like UST, is priming up for the upcoming University Athletic Association of the Philippines wars.

After leveling the game with a big second frame romp, the Tigresses pulled away in a tight third set duel, scoring three straight hits to shatter a 16-all count.

The Lady Maroons sued for time to re-organize but the Tigresses sustained their hot charge, piling up three more points to break the game open.

UP broke the spell with a hit but UST countered and the Tigresses roared to victory on an ace after both teams traded service errors to head to their first four-set game after sweeping their first three matches.