University of Santo Tomas battled back from a first set slip to take down University of the East in four sets, 18-25, 25-19, 25-17, 25-22, in the UAAP Season 86 Women’s Volleyball Tournament at the SMART Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday.
The Golden Tigresses hiked their record to 2-0, following up on their huge straight sets upset win over National University.
“Yung game talagang no joke, hindi ka pwedeng magpabaya kasi gugulatin ka ng UE especially nung first set sila ang nag pace ng game,” said UST head coach Kungfu Reyes.
The Golden Tigresses were just two points away from clinching the game, 23-20, but Casiey Dongallo attacked crosscourt and down the line in the next two sequences to pull her Lady Warriors within a point, 22-23.
However, Regina Jurado and Angge Poyos retaliated with hits of their own to end the game in an hour and 50 minutes.
UE was ahead 10-7 earlier in the third frame when Xyza Gula, Poyos, and Margaret Banagua joined hands to turn UST’s fortunes and take the set by eight, 25-17.
“Siguro noong first set masyado kaming nagrelax pero nakapagadjust naman nung mga susunod. Thankful ako na na-redeem ko rin yung sarili ko and yung team,” said the rookie Poyos, who impressed with 24 points scattered through 19 attacks, three aces, and two blocks along with 11 excellent receptions.
Jurado chimed in 16 points and eight digs while Gula, who first came in the game as a service specialist, unloaded 10 points including crucial hits in the final two stanzas.
Dongallo followed up on her 27-point debut with 23 points and 13 digs as the Lady Warriors fell to 1-1.
Khy Cepada and Riza Nogales produced 10 points apiece as well in the losing cause.
UST will go for 3-0 on Sunday against fellow undefeated team De La Salle University at the SM Mall of Asia Arena at 3 p.m. Earlier at 1 p.m., UE will aim to bounce back against Far Eastern University.
