UAAP: UST star Angge Poyos questionable for Finals Game 2

UST Tigresses’ rookie Angge Poyos suffers an injury in Game 1 of the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball finals. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—University of Santo Tomas has quite a problem on their hands at possibly the worst time ever.

Golden Tigresses coach Emilio “Kung Fu” Reyes said after their Game 1 loss that there’s no assurance yet regarding Angge Poyos’ clearance to play for Game 2 of the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament.

“There’s swelling [in the ankle] already but it’s not as bad as Eya’s (Laure) before when it immediately turned violet. The good thing though [the injury] isn’t in her jumping foot but it will affect her performance definitely,” said Reyes in Filipino after their 25-23, 25-20, 25-20 setback to National University.

UAAP SCHEDULE: Season 86 volleyball Finals UST vs NU

In the second set of Saturday’s match, Poyos went up for an 11-all tiebreaker then she tweaked her right ankle upon landing on teammate Em Banagua’s foot.

She was immediately helped off the court and into the dugout, only to return to the bench with a walking boot, signifying her absence for the remainder of the game.

UST’s Angge Poyos needed assistance in exiting the Big Dome after tweaking her ankle earlier. | @MeloFuertesINQ pic.twitter.com/Ai5Xx6juYx

— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) May 11, 2024

When asked if she would be back in time for UST in Game 2, Reyes had no clear answer and said the team would have to take an x-ray procedure first before making the next decision for Poyos.

“Hopefully, she can return. During the x-ray in UST, we pray that there isn’t a fracture or anything serious. It’s just part of the game. Unfortunately, she stepped on her own teammate.”

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“It’s unusual but it already happened so moving forward, we just need someone to step up for our outside hitter.”

Whoever’s next up for the Golden Tigresses, if ever, will have a huge shoe to fill, considering that Poyos is the front-runner for the league’s Rookie of the Year plum.

In fact, before her freak accident, Poyos had tallied seven points which helped UST keep up with NU before the Lady Bulldogs pulled away for good and took the 1-0 advantage in the best-of-three series.

Libero Detdet Pepito is also keeping an optimistic outlook on whether Poyos.

“We don’t know if Poyos will return or not but whoever will fulfill her position will be ready,” said Pepito.

UST looks to have Poyos back by Wednesday when Game 2 rolls on at Mall of Asia Arena.