UAAP volleyball: UST vows no letup as first round sweep nears

UST Golden Tigresses in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament. –UAAP PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The University of Santo Tomas wants no letup after matching the school’s best start in the UAAP women’s volleyball in 13 years with six straight victories.

Angge Poyos and Regina Jurado helped the Tigresses seize a 6-0 record after sweeping University of the Philippines, 25-22, 25-20, 26-24, on Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena. The victory tied a UST record back in Season 73 in 2011 when the Tigresses were still led by Aiza Maizo and Rhea Dimaculangan.

“For me as a player, we’re using this good start as a motivation,” said Poyos in Filipino after scoring a game-high 22 points. “But we can’t be complacent because it’s still a long season and the second round is just around the corner.”

SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 86 volleyball first round

Jurado, who had 12 points to keep her team unbeaten, agreed with the super rookie, stressing that there’s no room to relax.

“The fact that we’re having a great run, we’re using it as inspiration but at the same time we can’t be contented and complacent with our performance because teams are adjusting,” Jurado said. “For sure, the second round will be harder for us. But we will keep on fighting.”

UST coach KungFu Reyes, who has been calling the shots for the program since 2015, relished his best start, reaping rewards early in the season through the core of his high school players Poyos, Jurado, Em Banagua, Xyza Gula, and Detdet Pepito despite the departure of stars Eya Laure, Milena Alessandrini, and Imee Hernandez.

READ: Behind UST’s unbeaten start in UAAP volleyball: The ‘fantastic’ coaching staff

“This is my best run so far in my stint here in the women’s program. We’re here because of the process we’ve been through in the girls’ volleyball team because their skills are reaching another level,” said Reyes in Filipino. “This is a huge morale booster for us because their hard work has been paying off.”

As UST goes for a first-round sweep on Saturday against Adamson, the longtime Tigresses coach believes his wards won’t stop until they reach their ultimate goal.

“We won’t stop because it’s still a long way to go for us. Our preparation remains the same, one game at a time. I’m just grateful for the sacrifice of these players for fighting until the end,” Reyes said.