As UAAP Final Four beckons, UST taking it one game at a time

UST Tigresses celebrate during a win over UP Fighting Maroons in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines –Eager to get over the Final Four hump this year, University of Santo Tomas coach KungFu Reyes wants his wards to stay focused on their remaining games to earn themselves a good spot after the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball elimination round.

The Tigresses, who last reached the UAAP Finals five years ago behind the heroics of former stars Sisi Rondina and Eya Laure,  won at least 10 games in three of the last four seasons but have also suffered Final Four exits in the past two years.

Reyes believes his revamped team, composed of young stars, is ready to continue their impressive run in the Final Four, but he reminded still Tigresses to continue treating their last three elimination matches as must-wins.

SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 86 volleyball second round

“We’re focused on our remaining games. We’re not settling for just a Final Four [appearance]. We have a target ranking,” said Reyes in Filipino after their 25-14, 25-13, 28-30, 25-15 win over the University of the Philippines on Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena.

“It’s very obvious that we are ready for the Final Four, but we need to focus one game at a time.”

In its bid for one of the two twice-to-beat incentives, UST has to hurdle Far Eastern Univeristy on Saturday at Ninoy Aquino Stadium, University of the East on April 21, and defending champion La Salle on April 27.

READ: UAAP volleyball: UST Tigresses dedicate win to absent star Poyos

“We still need to give respect to each of our foes because the level of competition is high. Everyone is giving double or triple effort because of their learning experience from the first round,” said Reyes.

“Even the youngest team, UE, has strong determination to win the game. So we also have to take our game to the next level and use our learning experience for our remaining games.”

UST played without leading scorer and ace rookie Angge Poyos due to dehydration and continued to miss starting middle blocker Em Banagua, who is still recovering from a knee injury.

UST Tigresses’ Reg Jurado. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Reyes lauded the Tigresses for exerting a collaborative effort to fill in the gaps left by their key players with Reg Jurado and Jonna Perdido pouring in 24 points each to win their 10th in 11 matches.

“They embraced the added responsibility. We still have the 12 strong ladies. That’s why we’re a team because we support each other and we don’t rely on one player. That’s the beauty of this team, everyone responds to whatever task given to them,” he said.

UST braces for an FEU team that almost handed the former’s first defeat but blew a two-set lead in the first round.

“The old rivalry between UST and FEU will always be there. Both schools have high respect for one another but both will give everything for school pride,” Reyes said. “Definitely, it’s going to be a neck-and-neck and nail-biting match on Saturday because they want to prove that they belong to the top four.”