Rookie Angge Poyos delivered a historic performance as University of Santo Tomas recovered from a first set hiccup to clip Adamson University, 22-25, 25-20, 26-24, 25-20, and clinch the first ticket to the UAAP Season 86 Women’s Volleyball Final Four on Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The first-year outside spiker out of UST High School unloaded a UAAP record in the Final Four era for most points by a rookie in a single game with 31 points.
That has beat the 30-point output of Casiey Dongallo earlier this season in University of the East’s five-set loss to Far Eastern University.
“Thankful kasi comeback game nga for us kasi natalo kami last game against NU. Thankful kasi nakapag-contribute pa rin ako sa game. Thankful din ako sa mga ates ko kasi patuloy silang kumakapit at lumalaban para sa team,” said Poyos.
In the game, she scattered 27 attacks, three aces, and a block to go with six digs and five receptions.
The Golden Tigresses have bounced back after absorbing their first loss last March 24 against National University. They also hiked their record to 9-1 to seal their fourth straight appearance in the post-season.
It was Poyos who willed UST in the fourth period as well. She scored four in their 5-1 run that turned a 16-14 close affair into a sizable 21-15 lead – all the way to the win in two hours and 23 minutes.
“Well-prepared naman yung team, may kasamang swerte at nakuha namin yung dati naming inaasam na at least mapasama kami sa Final Four. Ngayon nandito na,” said Golden Tigresses head coach Kungfu Reyes.
Poyos’ scoring output was the highest by a Tigresses since Eya Laure dropped a career-high 31 points in UST’s 25-19, 25-21, 29-31, 33-31 victory over Ateneo on May 19, 2022.
UST found an unlikely hero in Bianca Plaza in the third frame with the scoreline tied at 24. The rookie middle blocker first scored off an Adamson floating ball before delivering an ace with the help of the net for the 2-1 set advantage, 26-24.
Jonna Perdido backstopped Poyos with 12 points, 13 excellent receptions, and 10 digs.
Meanwhile, Regina Jurado also got 12 points and 11 digs in the win.
Bernadett Pepito steadied UST’s ship in defense with 21-of-32 digs and 17-of-22 receptions.
UST will look to build another win streak next Wednesday when it battles University of the Philippines at the same Pasay venue.
The Lady Falcons skidded to their fifth straight defeat, falling to 2-7 at joint-sixth with UE.
Barbie Jamili got 20 points and 13 receptions in the losing cause while also getting contributions from Ishie Lalongisip and Ayesha Juegos with 14 and 12 points, respectively.
Adamson will seek to end its slump on Tuesday against FEU at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
