UST Tigresses, led by Angge Poyos, survives Ateneo’s fight back in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIREr.bet
MANULA, Philippines–University of Santo Tomas remained perfect in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball after surviving an Ateneo resurgence, 25-15, 27-25, 23-25, 26-28, 15-13, late Wednesday night at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Angeline Poyos, who got hurt after diving to save a possession in the fourth set, finished with 22 points, 21 coming from attacks, to lift UST to its eighth consecutive win this season.
“Another great experience for our young guns. At least, real-time na-experience nila [yung] big crowd, ang daming tao, spotlight, di namin maituro sa ensayo to eh,” UST coach KungFu Reyes said.
SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 86 volleyball second round
“Yung mga pressure game at least first-hand, na-experience nila especially itong game sa Ateneo. Ibang kwento sa La Salle, iba yung kwento sa [Far Eastern U],” Reyes added.
Cassie Carballo’s 26 excellent sets played a significant role in the victory as she put the Golden Tigresses’ attackers to good use. The sophomore setter also dished out 10 points, four coming from aces.
“Sinasabi namin palagi sa isa’t isa na this round namin mas kailangang yakapin at mahalin ‘yung isa’t isa kasi, hindi naman kami veterans talaga. Part of the learning process na din po namin,” Carballo said.
READ: UAAP: UST Tigresses wary of complacency after perfect first round
Regina Jurado scattered 19 points, 16 from attacks, two aces and a block, while Jonna Perdido added 17 points including five crucial blocks and the last two points of the two-hour and 37-minute marathon contest.
UST Tigresses’ Cassie Carballo in the UAAP Seaspon 86 women’s volleyball tournament. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
The Golden Tigresses emerged on top despite the Blue Eagles having a 72-66 edge on attacks and a 70-59 advantage on digs. UST was bailed out by its much better service, 14 blocks and 38 excellent receptions, 23 coming from libero captain Bernadett Pepito.
“Kasama na yung mental toughness so nagiging developed [yun] samin every game. Iba iba ng kwento every game. Though iisa ang resulta. Dun sa mga kwento na yun, marami kaming learning na nakukuha. So aside dun sa win na nakuha namin, mas marami pa kaming nagegain … nagpapatong patong lang yung learning namin,” Reyes said.
Poyos hammered an attack through Ateneo’s block to give UST a 12-9 lead in the decider before Jurado committed back-to-back errors.
WATCH: Jonna Perdido saves the day for UST with the game-winning attack. #UAAPSeason86 | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/iS81LAr2CQ
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) March 20, 2024
Jurado redeemed herself with a kill down-the-line, but Geezel Tsunashima, who finished with 21 points for Ateneo, nailed a cross court attack and a block on Perdido to level the game at 13 all.
Wanting to compensate for a quiet outing in the third and fourth sets, Perdido joined hands with Carballo to give the lead to UST with a cross court kill and a combination play to end the match.
Ateneo, which was coming off a loss to Far Eastern to end its first round, also had three more Blue Eagles in twin digits in Lyann de Guzman (22 points), Sophie Buena (21 points) and Yvana Sulit (12 points) as the Blue Eagles lost their fifth game in seven matches.
UST looks to extend its winning streak as it battles National University on Sunday in the same Quezon City venue.