After a stellar rookie year in the UAAP Season 86 Women’s Volleyball Tournament — where she earned Rookie of the Year and 2nd Best Outside Hitter honors — 21-year-old Angge Poyos has continued to ascend on her path to stardom with the UST Golden Tigresses.
But for the pride of Bohol — who also finished second in the MVP race while leading UST to a silver-medal finish last season — another name is already catching her eye.
Poyos believes that first-year wing spiker Kyla Cordora has the potential to live up to the high standards she’s helped establish within the Tigresses’ system.
Cordora, who has already turned heads with solid pre-season performances, finally had her breakout game in the UAAP.
The Davao native tallied eight points on an efficient 8-of-13 attacking clip, while also notching seven excellent digs and six excellent receptions. Her all-around efforts helped UST sweep the UE Lady Warriors and inch closer to a fifth straight Final Four appearance.
“Maraming nagsasabi na same kami ni Ate Kyla sa leap, sa vertical, and siyempre sa katawan. So ayun, sobrang saya na natutulungan niya kami, especially sa game,” said Poyos, who finished with 12 points and five excellent digs against UE.
“Malaking bagay na eight points si Ate Kyla. Minsan lang siya nagagamit sa court so binigay niya yung best niya. Ito na yung opportunity niya para ibigay yung best niya at mag-perform. I’m grateful na nakapag-perform siya at nakapag-contribute.”
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Though comparisons between Poyos and Cordora have naturally emerged, the young spiker feels determined to carve her own path in the hyper-competitive UAAP landscape.
In a league headlined by stars like Angel Canino, Bella Belen, and Shaina Nitura, Cordora knows that she must blaze her own trail — but there’s one thing she hopes to mirror from Poyos: the success and pride brought into the Golden Tigresses’ legacy.
“Sobrang happy ko po ngayon since nakapaglaro ako. Parang nagkaroon ako ng breakout game since ilang beses ko yun hiningi kay Lord, ‘Sana Lord magka-breakout game ako.’ Sobrang saya po kasi nagtiwala yung coaches at yung teammates ko na kaya kong mag-deliver today,” Cordora shared in an exclusive interview with Tiebreaker Times.
“Personally, iba ako sa kanila since iba-iba kami ng pangalan, iba-iba din yung style, pero gusto ko rin mapantayan yung kaya nila at yung success na nadala nila. Since nakikita naman ng ibang tao na kaya ko yung ganun, yung sarili ko na lang po ang need kong kausapin na kaya ko naman talaga.”
As she continues her journey, Cordora draws inspiration from none other than Poyos — her teammate, role model, and constant source of motivation.
“Si Angge nagiging motivation ko sa training. Minsan nga po, sinasabi ko sa teammates ko na idol na idol ko talaga si Angge,” the 23-year-old Cordora said.
“Parang ayun po, pag walang-wala ako, kay Angge ako nagtatanong since siya rin po yung nakakaalam. Ang sarap lang sa pakiramdam na yung motivation ko ay mismo yung teammates ko and former ates namin.”
#WATCH: Angge Poyos beams with pride as Kyla Cordora seizes her moment against UE 🏐
📹 @lorenzodelc /Tiebreaker Times#UAAPSeason87 pic.twitter.com/buikaQ1jLv
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) April 12, 2025
