When Xyza Gula dazzled off the bench during University of Santo Tomas’ four-set win against University of the East last Wednesday, it was Jonna Perdido whom she replaced.
And Perdido took it personally that she had an off-game. She made a remarkable comeback that set the stage for University of Santo Tomas’ huge upset victory over the defending champion De La Salle University.
After being limited to just seven points against the Lady Warriors which led to her being placed on the bench, the third-year player worked double in training for her bounce back.
The 21-year-old lefty spiker stormed the Lady Spikers with a career-high 24 points on 21 attacks and three blocks.
She led UST to the 25-18, 25-23, 14-25, 16-25, 15-12 victory on Sunday evening at the packed SM Mall of Asia Arena.
“Happy po ako sa naging performance ko today kasi nung last game off po talaga ako,” said the Golden Tigresses’ leading scorer.
“Naging mindset ko lang po is magtiwala sa sarili and bumawi sa larong ito kasi pinaghandaan talaga namin ito.”
A big chunk of her points came in the first and second sets, where she scored seven and 10, respectively which set the tone for the now 3-0 UST.
Although La Salle found its mark in the third and fourth, the Tigresses found their second wind in the fifth to bring down the champions.
Perdido, who was checked in the frames they lost, turned it on again in the decider with a winning attitude.
“Pinaghandaan ko po talaga and positive lang ang mindset ko. Medyo na-off ako nung third and fourth or nag-relax,” shared Perdido, who was catapulted in the First Six after four of their starters last year had already graduated.
“Nung fifth set, tinapangan ko pa and nagtiwala talaga ako sa sarili ko na kaya ko labanan yung La Salle.”
