Angge Poyos and UST Tigresses celebrate their championship in the 2024 V-League Women’s Collegiate Challenge. They beat the FEU Lady Tamaraws in three games. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — After missing Game 2, Angge Poyos made sure to get the job done for the University of Santo Tomas, winning the 2024 V-League Women’s Collegiate Challenge — the school’s first major volleyball title in 14 years.
Poyos was out last Wednesday in Game 2 due to illness when UST had a premature championship celebration only to fall to FEU in five sets and forced to a winner-take-all Game 3.
The tournament MVP showed her killer instinct and put on the finishing touches, erupting for 31 points for the Tigresses to outlast the Lady Tamaraws, 24-26, 25-20, 25-21, 25-14, on Friday at Philsports Arena.
READ: UST Tigresses outlast FEU Lady Tamaraws to win V-League crown
“Before Game 3, I prepared myself mentally and physically. I’m grateful we were able to bring out and show our true game,” said Poyos after hammering 29 kills, two blocks, and an ace.
The UAAP Rookie of the Year was somehow happy to win her first collegiate crown in the V-League after suffering an ankle injury in the Season 86 finals last May, failing to show her peak form on the big stage as UST got swept by National University.
“I’m so happy. It feels great to help the team and win my first-ever collegiate championship,” Poyos said. “Thank God for not abandoning us throughout the season, and the coaches for continuing to trust us”
READ: UST stars Angge Poyos, Gboy De Vega named V-League MVPs
But it doesn’t stop with a preseason championship as the incoming sophomore spiker is eager to settle her unfinished business in the UAAP next year, hoping to end the title drought.
UST coach KungFu Reyes and captain Detdet Pepito were both happy to have Poyos back and restored the order for UST in a do-or-die match despite missing Best Middle Blocker Em Banagua, who suffered a knee injury in Game 2.
“Maybe God allowed it for Angge to play. We dedicated it to Em, and when we found out she couldn’t play, we became even more eager to bounce back,” Pepito said.