UAAP volleyball: Poyos, UST find extra motivation after first loss

UST Tigresses’ Angge Poyos.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — University of Santo Tomas rookie Angge Poyos is taking her first collegiate career loss in stride as she promises to work harder for the remainder of the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament.

UST’s eight-game unbeaten run was snapped by National University with a vengeful 23-25, 25-17, 25-21, 25-20 victory on Sunday evening in front of 10,000 fans at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

It wasn’t only UST’s first setback of the season but also Poyos’ first taste of defeat in the UAAP women’s division.

SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 86 volleyball second round

“Siguro ‘yung talo namin ngayon gagawin nalang naming motivation sa mga susunod na mga games kasi nga na-sweep namin ‘yung first round and nagkaroon kami ng talo ngayong second round. So, ayun, gagawin naming motivation para mag pursigi pa sa mga next games,” said Poyos, who led UST with 18 points and 14 excellent receptions.

Despite sliding to an 8-1 record, Poyos remained optimistic, believing the frustrating loss would only make them better.

“Yun nga sabi ni Coach (Kungfu Reyes), daming nagkulang sa game na ‘to. Unang una nawala sa amin is communication and nawalan din kami ng gana noong patapos na na set,” Poyos said. “And hindi naman natatapos dito ang lahat, still nasa top pa rin kami, 8-1, so ang need lang namin gawin is mag bounce back. ‘Yung mga kulang namin, ‘yung mga need namin i-improve gagawin namin.”

Angge Poyos vows to bounce back from this setback. #UAAPSeason86 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/r7Ub1S25GT

— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) March 24, 2024

Poyos, who dove and hit the LED board in their five-set win over Ateneo last Wednesday, admitted she hurt her leg, which affected her performance, although she cleared it wasn’t an excuse.

“Para sa akin naka-affect pero nagkaroon namin ako ng time para maka-recover. Nagkaroon ako ng three days para maka-recover. Ngayon okay naman, okay ako sa performance na ginawa ko, and happy kasi nakapag-contribute pa rin, even though hindi 100 percent,” she said.

Poyos will take time to recover during the Holy Week break but she will also recharge spiritually and emotionally by visiting her family in Bohol before they face Adamson on April 3 at Mall of Asia Arena.

“For me siguro three days break, uuwi ako ng province. So ayun, sa self ko siguro, maayos na mindset and pagbalik pukpukan ulit. Gagawin ko ‘yung best para sa team,” she said.