Angeline Poyos leads UST past Perpetual Help in SSL opener

UST’s Angeline Poyos. SSL PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Angeline Poyos picked up where she left off, leading University of Santo Tomas to a 25-12, 21-25, 25-15, 25-21 win over University of Perpetual Help System Dalta in the Shakey’s Super League (SSL) Collegiate Pre-Season Championship Season 2 opener on Saturday at Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.

Poyos, the Best Outside Hitter in the SSL National Invitationals, dropped a game-high 20 points on 16 attacks to deliver the Golden Tigresses’ first win in Pool C after asserting their mastery of the Lady Altas, whom they swept in the bronze series of the previous conference last month.

Besides the super rookie. Kyla Cordora also stepped up with 13 points. Incoming sophomore Regina Jurado chipped in 11 points, while Jonna Perdido added nine markers.

But UST coach KungFu Reyes wants more from his wards, especially the second unit, which fell to the substitutes of Perpetual Help in the second set of the all-to-play format tournament.

“We still have a lot of things to correct, especially our second unit,” said Reyes in Filipino as his second six couldn’t sustain the blazing first set of the starters, who jumpstarted the game with a 12-2 spread and won the frame by 13 points.

“We have the same second unit. It’s the same team from the last conference. We need to address our lapses. It’s a good game. A win is a win. The next game is Monday so we still have time to adjust,” he added.

UST eyes its second win against Letran, which will parade its new coach Oliver Almadro, on Monday

Mary Rhose Dapol led Perpetual Help with 11 points, while Winnie Bedaña added 10 markers, losing to the Tigresses for the third straight time since the National Invitationals bronze-medal series.

Perpetual Help seeks to bounce back against the back-to-back NCAA champion College of Saint Benilde on Monday.

Meanwhile, Arellano spoiled the coaching debut of Edgar Barroga for San Beda after prevailing in straight sets, 25-15, 25-21, 25-15.

The Lady Chiefs have less than 24 hours to prepare for their next Pool B match against National Invitationals runner-up Adamson at 5 p.m.

San Beda battles Lyceum also on Sunday at 2 p.m.