University of Santo Tomas stayed unbeaten in the UAAP Season 86 Women’s Volleyball Tournament but not without a fierce challenge by Ateneo de Manila University in five sets, 25-15, 27-25, 23-25, 26-28, 15-13, on Wednesday night at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
With the Golden Tigresses ahead 13-11 in the decider, Blue Eagle Geezel Tsunashima shone on both ends as she drilled a crosscourt kill followed by a block on Jonna Perdido to tie the match at 13.
Perdido, though, redeemed herself with a down-the-line attack and a spike off a combination play to give UST an 8-0 record after two hours and 49 minutes.
The Tigresses continued their finest start since the 2006-07 season when they strung nine consecutive victories.
“Another great experience para dito sa young guns namin. At least, real time naexperience nila yun hindi namin maituro sa ensayo ito eh diba yung mga pressure games at least naexperience nila first hand,” said Golden Tigresses head coach Kungfu Reyes.
Lyann De Guzman, Sobe Buena, and Tsunashima all had their moments in the third and fourth frames as the Blue Eagles forced a fifth stanza. Still, they sank to 2-6 at sixth.
Angge Poyos, who had a bad fall after saving a ball over an LED board, led UST in scoring with 22 points while Regina Jurado chipped in 19 points and 10 digs as well.
Perdido finished with 17 points on 11 spikes, five blocks, and an ace she complemented with nine digs and seven receptions.
“Para sa akin kinapitan lang talaga namin at pumalag lang kami hanggang dulo,“ said Perdido.
Cassie Carballo did her thing with 26 excellent sets alongside 10 points including five aces, while libero Bernadett Pepito got 23 receptions and 18 digs.
The Blue Eagles got 20-point outings from three players as De Guzman poured 22 while Buena and Tsunashima each made 21.
Up next for UST is National University on Sunday at the Big Dome at 4 p.m., while Ateneo will face University of the Philippines earlier at 2 p.m.
