University of Sto. Tomas moved on the verge of a first round sweep after scraping past University of the Philippines in straight sets, 25-22, 25-20, 26-24, in the UAAP Season 86 Women’s Volleyball Tournament, Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The Golden Tigresses survived a close encounter with the Fighting Maroons in the third set to complete the sweep.
They hike their standing to a league-best 6-0 record – their finest start since Season 73 in 2011.
“Again, yung respeto na binibigay namin sa mga kalaban namin na alam namin kasi everybody’s game,” said Golden Tigresses head coach Kungfu Reyes.
So, yun na nga, very tight yung labanan, especially nung last set kasi nga we won by two points. So medyo hindi pa namin makuha yung rhythm nung ano, kung anong meron kami.”
UST aims to complete its first-round sweep – which it last achieved in the 2006-07 season – against Adamson University on Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
During that season, the Tigresses went perfect in six first-round matches under legendary coach August Santamaria.
With UP threatening to extend the match, Angge Poyos delivered a down-the-line hit to break a 23-all deadlock in the third set and push UST to match point.
Stephanie Bustrillo, however, answered back with a cross-court hit to send the game to a deuce.
Poyos then took over anew, delivering a kill before Regina Jurado completed the hard-fought win with an off-the-block attack.
The 20-year-old rookie out of Balilihan, Bohol posted a game-high 22 points on 18 attacks and four aces to lead UST’s one-hour and 38-minute victory.
Xyza Gula registered a triple-double of 14 points on 12 attacks and two aces to go along with 12 excellent receptions and 10 excellent digs. Meanwhile, Jurado added 12 points.
Cassie Carballo tossed 16 excellent sets to go along with two markers while Bernadett Pepito had 15 excellent digs in for the Golden Tigresses.
“Di lang namin masyado na-execute nang maayos, hindi kami masyadong nakakuha ng rebound. That’s why nakita namin sa stats yung blocking point ni UP eh, ang taas. So naka 10-block points sila sa amin,” rued Reyes, as UP tallied 10 blocks compared to UST’s one.
The winless Fighting Maroons, who have now dropped their sixth consecutive game, were led by Bustrillo with 14 points on 11 attacks and three blocks.
UP looks to bounce back versus University of the East on Sunday to wrap up the first round.
