Angge Poyos and Josh Ybañez of University of Santo Tomas lead the UAAP Most Valuable Player race after the first round of the UAAP Season 88 collegiate volleyball tournaments.
Ybañez is on track to secure his third MVP award, while Poyos saw her lead slip in the second round as Adamson University’s Shaina Nitura delivered a standout performance to become the first Falcon to win the MVP trophy in the women’s division.
Poyos’ drop in the statistical points (SP) race was significant, with Adamson’s Frances Mordi and De La Salle University’s Angel Canino also overtaking her, as she finished fourth in the MVP standings.
However, the Season 86 Rookie of the Year remained unfazed, especially after her UST Golden Tigresses hurdled the FEU Lady Tamaraws in the playoff, 16-25, 25-20, 25-18, 25-16, to advance to the stepladder on Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“Ang pinaka-importante naman talaga sa akin is yung team na makapasok namin sa Final Four, kasi yun yung pinaka-unang goal namin this season. And siguro mag-achieve na if ever makapasok sa Finals,” said Poyos on missing the MVP award.
“Ayun, siguro mas importante ‘yung collective effort na gagawin kesa sa individual awards,” she added.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Poyos powered UST with 26 points, finishing with 22 attacks and four blocks, alongside seven receptions and five digs.
It was not an easy start for the Golden Tigresses, who dropped the opening set in lopsided fashion, but Poyos and her teammates regrouped and completed the comeback in four sets.
“Slow start kami; ni-remind lang ng mga coaches na ilaban namin kasi nandito na kami, and talagang do-or-die game today. So talagang pinusuan namin para makuha namin yung game na ito,” said Poyos.
“’Yung effort talaga ng bawat isa lumabas and yung guidance ng coaches nandiyan naman palagi and ayun, natapos namin nang wala kaming pinagsisihan ngayong araw na ito.”
It was far from a one-woman show for UST, as Regina Jurado chipped in 11 points and 12 digs, while Xyza Gula provided the spark off the bench with nine points, 11 digs, and seven receptions.
Avril Bron added eight points, while Cassie Carballo orchestrated the offense with 21 excellent sets and seven digs.
Captain Detdet Pepito anchored the defense with an impressive 15-of-17 excellent receptions and 18-of-27 excellent digs.
Up next for UST is third-ranked Adamson University in the stepladder on Wednesday, still at the Big Dome.
“Sobrang saya lang kasi nga talagang pinaghandaan namin yung game na ‘to. Masakit man yung pagkatalo namin nung last game, pero nag-move on talaga kami at talagang trinabaho namin,” said Poyos.
“Grateful na nakuha namin yung panalo today, sana magtuloy-tuloy na sa Final Four.”
