After falling to National University in five sets for the second consecutive time this UAAP Season 87, Kungfu Reyes challenged University of Santo Tomas to adapt the winning formula that the Lady Bulldogs have demonstrated in both games.
Reyes, who has been the head coach of the Golden Tigresses since 2015, believes in the capabilities of his team. However, he also hopes they can adopt the Lady Bulldogs’ winning mentality, especially in tight situations.
UST fought hard, pushing NU to a fifth set before eventually folding, losing 25-23, 17-25, 18-25, 25-22, 9-15, on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. The team now needs to win their playoff match against De La Salle University to secure the last twice-to-beat incentive in the UAAP women’s volleyball Final Four.
In the first round, the Golden Tigresses also lost to the Lady Bulldogs in a five-set thriller, 25-23, 17-25, 25-19, 18-25, 9-15.
“Alam mong chine-chase namin na makuha namin yung twice-to-beat advantage, pero yung mga learning namin dito, again may babaunin ulit kami papuntang semis. So sabi nga namin sa kanila [na] championship material tayo, pero marami pa tayong dapat ayusin,” said Reyes after the game.
“Hindi na sa volleyball skills minsan, more on yung tayuan, yung talagang alam mo yung tayo pa lang matibay na. Ganon si NU, talagang hinahawakan niya yung pagiging beterano nila,” he continued.
“Gusto kong i-compliment yung seniors nila. Sa amin naman may ganon, pero talagang kulang din kami sa mga ganong bagay na outside volleyball is ma-develop. Hopefully, yung maturity pa kasi nga paulit-ulit naming sinasabi, yung skills nandiyan na, i-develop natin yung maturity, decision-making natin.”
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
UST is tied with University of the Philippines for the most five-set matches this season, with five in total. Of those five, four came against La Salle and NU, with only one victory coming against the Lady Spikers.
Despite the loss, Reyes felt pleased with his players’ effort and determination, with Regina Jurado leading the charge, scoring 19 points and 12 digs. Meanwhile, Angge Poyos contributed 15 points and 11 receptions.
Maribeth Hilongo added 12 points and 14 receptions, while middle blockers Marga Altea and Em Banagua chipped in 10 and nine points, respectively, in the two-hour, 36-minute match that could have earned them the outright twice-to-beat advantage.
Now, UST must win the playoff scheduled for Wednesday at 2:00 PM at the Smart Araneta Coliseum to gain the extra shield of immunity in the Final Four against La Salle.
For Reyes, when it comes to skills, the Golden Tigresses and Lady Spikers are evenly matched. With both teams facing each other in the Final Four since Season 85, it will come down to which team wants it more.
“Patibayan na lang ng isip at dibdib itong labanan namin sa playoffs,” said Reyes.
“We’re happy at least nakaabot kami sa ganitong situation at hopefully maitawid namin at yun naman talaga ang gagawin namin na pipilitin namin maitawid yung Final Four na ito.”
#WATCH: Coach Kungfu Reyes shares what UST needs to conquer La Salle in their virtual best-of-three Final Four clash 🏐
📹 Justin Valencia/Tiebreaker Times#UAAPSeason87 pic.twitter.com/RV0u4XvE0j
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) April 27, 2025
