During the University of Santo Tomas and University of the East matchup on Wednesday night, two prized rookies took centerstage and did not disappoint.
Golden Tigress Angge Poyos and Lady Warrior Casiey Dongallo had a personal head-to-head of their own as UST downed UE in four sets, 18-25, 25-19, 25-17, 25-22, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Dongallo had a debut to remember last Saturday when she erupted for 27 points – the most in league history for a rookie’s first game.
More importantly, she led the Lady Warriors to a huge win over Ateneo de Manila University, their first in 14 long years.
On the other hand, Poyos also made her mark in her debut, logging 16 points as the Golden Tigresses stunned National University in straight sets.
This time around, Poyos, a 20-year-old standout from Bohol, took her game up a notch to best Dongallo in their first of many matchups in the UAAP.
And this performance is what should the UST community expect moving forward as Poyos had already shaken off the nerves.
“Siguro ito na po yun kasi nung first game masyadong pressured and ngayon, medyo nakakadjust na and I hope sa mga susunod pa na mga games maging consistent pa ako and mas makapag ambag pa ako sa team,” she said after dropping 24 points on 19 attacks, three service aces, and two blocks she laced with 11 excellent receptions and eight digs.
Dongallo, a product of California Academy in Antipolo, lauded the impressive display of Poyos, with whom she had previous showdowns at the high school level.
For her part, the 18-year-old Cebuana unleashed 23 points, 13 digs, and nine excellent receptions.
“Poyos is really a great player po knowing na yung height niya is parang maliit, sobrang galing niya. Magaling siya at malakas po,” said Dongallo.
Poyos also threw praises for her “super rookie” counterpart in UE, having been in awe with her since their preseason face-offs.
The two have also played against each other in the Rebisco Volleyball League and LGR tournament before with Poyos already representing UST having been there since Grade 10 while Dongallo was still repping CAL.
“Nagkaharap na rin kami nung high school and masasabi ko talaga na magaling siya and skills-wise, ang galing niya talaga. Thankfully nanalo kami,” shared Poyos.
