UAAP volleyball: Perdido bounces back in big UST win over La Salle
UST Tigresses’ Jonna Perdido. –UAAP PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Jonna Perdido picked the perfect time to unleash her career game for the University of Santo Tomas Tigresses.
Perdido dropped 24 points to keep the University of Santo Tomas unbeaten in three games capped by a big win over defending champion La Salle in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament.
Coming off a poor outing four days ago, Perdido redeemed herself in their 25-18, 25-23, 14-25, 16-25, 15-12 win over La Salle, overcoming Angel Canino’s 28-point effort on Sunday before 12,240 fans at Mall of Asia Arena.
SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 86 volleyball first round
“I’m happy with my performance today because last game was really an off night for me. My mindset was just no matter what happens I’m going to continue to believe in myself and bounce back because we really prepared hard for this game,” said the sophomore Perdido, who had 21 attacks and three blocks, in Filipino.
Perdido, who was limited to seven points, in their four-set win over University of the East last Wednesday, made sure to regain her form against the mighty Lady Spikers.
READ: UAAP volleyball: UST Tigresses counter height with heart in beating La Salle
UST Tigresses stun defending champion La Salle in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
“I prepared hard for this game and kept a positive mindset. I kind of relaxed in the second and third set but I in the fifth set, I wanted to show that I’m not afraid and believed I can compete against La Salle,” said Perdido.
But it wasn’t just Perdido who put up big numbers for UST, which also drew 22 points from Angge Poyos and 16 excellent sets from Cassie Carballo as the Tigresses flaunted their depth.
“We have each other’s backs and we fought until the end. All that we planned and trained for were all worth it,” said Carballo.
UST coach KungFu Reyes admitted it’s harder to win in this era of competition but their hard work and resilience helped them stave off La Salle.
“This season you can’t afford to be overconfident because any team can win. That’s our mindset as a group and that’s how we prepare ourselves,” Reyes said as UST eyes win No. 4 against Far Eastern University on Sunday.
