UST Tigresses coach KungFu Reyes during a UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball Final Four game. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — The University of Santo Tomas Tigresses may be a bunch of UAAP women’s volleyball Finals first-timers but coach KungFu Reyes believes their experience in high school and pre-season have prepared them against the more experienced National University Lady Bulldogs.
UST, composed of young players led by super rookie Angge Poyos, has returned to the UAAP finals after five years, and standing in its way is NU, which made it to the UAAP Finals for the third straight time.
They collide in a best-of-three title series starting Saturday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
UAAP SCHEDULE: Season 86 volleyball Finals UST vs NU
Reyes won’t have a single player from his 2019 runner-up team after Eya Laure opted to turn pro last yea,r but he believes the maturity and resilience of the current Tigresses are enough to compete against the Lady Bulldogs, who still have their cornerstone players Bella Belen, Alyssa Solomon, and Vange Alinsug from last year’s championship.
“I think the players are ready to show their maturity and experience in this series. They have already proven that they can do it to reach this far,” said Reyes in Filipino.
“We also have a well-balanced team from offense to defense. We have talented attackers, although they are not that tall, but they play without hesitation and doubts.”
READ: UAAP: Young, undersized UST Tigresses ready for fight of their lives
The longtime UST coach believes that they have a more complete line-up compared to their 2019 UAAP Finals run with libero captain Detdet Pepito protecting the floor and leading the team, setter Cassie Carballo anchoring the offense, executed by hitters Poyos, Reg Jurado, and Jonna Perdido as well as middle blockers Em Banagua and Bianca Plaza.
But Reyes also thinks that their biggest advantage would be the UST faithful, who have been supporting and cheering them throughout their journey.
UST Tigresses clinch a ticket to UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball Finals after dethroning La Salle. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
“I guess our advantage is the sea of yellow. They encourage us and boost our morale through the huge support of the UST community, the alumni, and the priests, believing in these young kids. The UST community is the team’s backbone,” he said.
Reyes is happy that the UST-NU rivalry between this batch of players has reached the collegiate finals for the first time after clashing thrice in the girls’ division years ago.
“If you will look at both sides, our programs have been consistent from high school to college. It feels good that our program went on the right path. Who would have thought that would reach this far? It’s because of these kids believing in themselves,” he said.
The UST coach is also excited to face NU coach Norman Miguel, who was part of former UST tactician Shaq Delos Santos’ staff when it last won the title in 2010, and his deputy Karl Dimaculangan, a former UST men’s setter.
“It’s like a reunion because coach Norman was with the school, once upon a time, and Ray Karl is an alumna of the men’s team. Most of us are products of UST, credit to UST’s program both in men’s and women’s,” he said.