UAAP: Reg Jurado says UST lacks ‘mental toughness’ after loss
UST’s Regina Jurado tries to score against La Salle in UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball.–UAAP PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—University of Santo Tomas star spiker Regina Jurado certainly felt La Salle’s eagerness to win in their second-round encounter in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament.
That desire resulted in the Lady Spikers prevailing over UST in a heartstopping 15-25, 25-17, 14-26, 25-20, 16-14 victory to make up for their first-round loss at the hands of the Golden Tigresses.
“La Salle played their hearts out. We felt that they really wanted to bounce back from that round one loss,” Jurado told Inquirer Sports at Araneta Coliseum.
READ: UAAP: Angel Canino rushed to hospital after La Salle win over UST
‘PINUSUAN TALAGA NG LA SALLE’
Regina Jurado, who scored 22 points in the UST loss, gave the Lady Spikers their flowers after a five-set thriller. #UAAPSeason87 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/L4U4R5p7qV
— Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) March 29, 2025
“For me, there was no pressure because we really played with effort in our previous wins against them so there wasn’t any pressure, we just fell short.”
Jurado paced UST with 22 points but to no avail, as La Salle turned to its old reliable in the form of Angel Canino, who finished with 27 points, 13 excellent receptions and 13 excellent digs before being taken to a hospital.
Aside from Jurado, Angge Poyos was the only double-digit scorer for the Tigresses with 12 points.
Jurado also urged her squad to work on their mental toughness, saying it was one of the reasons for their shortcomings in the fifth and final set.
READ: UAAP: Angel Canino plays through pain, lifts La Salle over UST
“The psychological toughness of the team was inconsistent. The skills are there but sometimes, we lose it [mental toughness].”
“We just need more mental toughness. That’ll be our biggest adjustment because there are times when we don’t have it. It comes back but we don’t have it consistently.”
UST looks to bounce back and improve its footing in the Final Four race when it faces Adamson on Wednesday at the same venue.
