By ADRIAN STEWART CO
The University of Santo Tomas (UST) Golden Tigresses stayed undefeated in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament after a 25-22, 25-20, 26-24 triumph over the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Wednesday, March 13.
Rookie Angeline Poyos top-scored with 22 points, on 18 attacks and four service aces, as the Golden Tigresses remained ahead of the standings with a perfect 6-0 win-loss record, their best start since UAAP Season 73 in 2011.
Xyza Gula provided spark off the bench with 14 points. Regina Jurado ended with 12 points, Negrense Cassie Carballo tallied 16 excellent sets while Bernadett Pepito had 15 excellent digs for UST.
With the Fighting Maroons threatening to extend the match in the third set, Poyos delivered a down-the-line hit to break a 23-all deadlock and push the Golden Tigresses to match point at 24-23.
However, UP’s Stephanie Bustrillo answered with a cross-court hit to send the game to a deuce.
Poyos then took over anew, delivering a kill before Jurado completed the hard-fought win with an off-the-block attack.
“Again, ‘yung respeto na binibigay namin sa mga kalaban namin na alam namin kasi everybody’s ball game talaga,” Golden Tigresses head coach Emilio “Kung Fu” Reyes said.
“So, ‘yun na nga, very tight ‘yung labanan especially nung last set kasi nga we won by two points, so medyo hindi pa namin makuha ‘yung rhythm nung ano, kung anong meron kami,” he added.
The winless Fighting Maroons, who have now dropped their sixth consecutive game, were led by Bustrillo with 14 points on 11 attacks and three blocks.
They will try to bounce back against the University of the East Lady Warriors on Sunday, March 17.
Meanwhile, the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles turned back the Adamson University Lady Falcons, 25-19, 25-19, 22-25, 25-23, to snap their two-game losing skid.
Both teams now have a 2-4 win-loss slate.
Sobe Buena led the way for the Blue Eagles with 22 points, the same output as veteran hitter Lyann de Guzman.
Zel Tsunashima and Alexa Miner also finished in double figures for Ateneo, scoring 12 points each./ASC, WDJ