Stung by their opening-day loss, Angge Poyos and University of Santo Tomas refused to dwell on disappointment.
Instead, they put their heads down, doubled their efforts in training, and returned to the court with renewed determination.
The team then proved their resilience with a hard-fought 28-26, 22-25, 25-23, 25-15 win over University of the East in the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Volleyball Tournament.
“After nung talo namin sa FEU, talagang trinabaho namin sa training ‘yung mga individual skills, inuna namin sa training. Nung nakaraang week, tinyaga namin sa training kaya thankful kami na maganda ‘yung naging resulta,” said Poyos,” last season’s Rookie of the Year.
“Though nung first set, natalo kami kasi nawala ‘yung composure namin. Thankful kasi napanalo pa rin namin ‘yung game.”
Regina Jurado echoed Poyos’ sentiments, emphasizing how each player took it upon themselves to improve. All the players know that their collective growth was crucial in addressing the lapses that led to their opening-day defeat.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“Ayun nga, thankful na ganun ‘yung naging outcome kasi pinaghirapan talaga namin this past week ‘yung ipagpabuti namin ‘yung mga lapses namin individually para mapunan namin together as a team,” said Jurado.
Jurado led UST with a game-high 22 points, delivering 18 attacks, two kill blocks, and two aces, while also contributing eight excellent digs. Poyos was just as impressive, tallying 21 markers built on 14 attacks, four kill blocks, and three aces.
“Sa’kin naman, masaya rin kasi ni-remind din namin sa sarili namin na importante ‘yung one game at a time, and thankfully, nairaos din namin ‘yung game na ‘to,” said the lefty opposite hitter.
“Also, aside doon, siguro ‘yung pagiging composed. Lalo na minsan napapansin din na nawawala ‘yung enjoyment, eh ‘yun ‘yung importante para habang nag-eenjoy, for sure susunod din ‘yung laro.“
Despite their significant improvements, both players acknowledged that there is still much to work on, particularly in minimizing their errors, which reached 29 against UE.
“For me, masaya naman kasi nanalo kami today. Personally, marami lang need i-work out sa training lalo na next game namin La Salle, so ayun, magtatrabaho ulit sa training,” the 21-year-old Poyos said.
