University of Santo Tomas had to dig deep to fend off University of the East, 28-26, 22-25, 25-23, 25-15, clinching its first victory in the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Volleyball Tournament on Saturday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
Bouncing back from a tough four-set loss to Far Eastern University last week, the Golden Tigresses leaned on the dynamic duo of Regina Jurado and Season 86 Rookie of the Year Angge Poyos to overcome a second-set stumble and improve to a 1-1 record.
Jurado led the charge with 22 points, delivering 18 attacks, two blocks, and two aces while adding eight excellent digs. Poyos followed closely with 21 points, tallying 14 attacks, four blocks, and three aces.
She also had six excellent digs and two excellent receptions in the two-hour, seven-minute triumph.
However, the win came at a cost.
Rookie Kyla Cordora suffered an apparent left ankle injury late in the second set after accidentally stepping on the foot of Nigerian middle blocker Blessing Unekwe.
Despite the victory, UST assistant coach Yani Fernandez acknowledged that there is still plenty of room for improvement as the season progresses.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“A win is a win naman. Nakita namin yung mga lapses pa rin, we will work on it at matanggal yung lapses na ‘yon… Maraming lapses na kailangan i-polish para sa Wednesday game [against La Salle], makaporma kami sa kanila,” said Fernandez, who took over postgame duties for head coach Kungfu Reyes.
Reyes immediately left for Passi, Iloilo, to assist Chery Tiggo in its PVL match against Choco Mucho.
UST started strong in the fourth set, building a 10-3 lead, only to see UE claw back within a point at 11-10. The Tigresses quickly regained control, as rookie Marga Altea’s attack and an error from Riza Nogales pushed the lead to 19-12.
Consecutive hits from Poyos and Jurado, capped by a Van Bangayan attack error, sealed UST’s first win of the season.
Earlier, UE erased a 16-9 deficit in the third set, making it a tense 23-22 battle, highlighted by an ace from former Tigress Tin Ecalla. However, Jurado responded with a well-placed crosscourt shot, followed by a down-the-line strike from Poyos, allowing UST to claim a crucial 2-1 set advantage.
The Golden Tigresses also drew first blood in the match, pulling off a stunning comeback from a 20-24 deficit in the opening set. Poyos stepped up with a clutch crosscourt hit and an ace before Pia Abbu sealed the frame with a decisive block.
UE managed to force a split after two sets, with Khy Cepada delivering two key attacks and Ecalla rejecting Unekwe at the net.
UST’s offensive firepower proved to be the difference, dominating in attacks (57-44) and blocks (15-4).
“We always keep the good momentum. Rinemind namin sila na kung isa-score ‘man yung kalaban, sa pinaghihirapan nila. Hindi kami dapat magbigay ng napakasimple at napakadali. Hayaan natin paghirapan ng kalaban at dapat tayo rin, maghirap at extra effort tayo,” Fernandez added.
Altea contributed 10 points off six attacks, three blocks, and an ace, while Abbu chipped in eight points.
Setter Cassie Carballo orchestrated UST’s offense with 19 excellent sets and two points. Meanwhile, team captain Detdet Pepito anchored the floor defense with 16 excellent digs and 14 excellent receptions.
The Golden Tigresses now brace for a tough Final Four rematch against the De La Salle University Lady Spikers on Wednesday, February 26, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Cepada led UE in a valiant effort with 20 points, scoring 16 attacks and four aces while recording eight excellent digs and six excellent receptions. Bangayan added 12 points, converting 10 attacks and two aces, along with eight excellent digs and three excellent receptions.
Bea Zamudio tallied 11 points from eight attacks and three aces, alongside eight excellent digs and six excellent receptions, while Nogales chipped in seven points.
Ecalla dished out 12 excellent sets and scored five points, while Angelica Reyes provided 10 excellent digs and seven excellent receptions.
The 11-strong Lady Warriors had previously made a gallant stand in the opener against University of the Philippines before falling short. They now aim to earn their first win of the season against the Adamson University Lady Falcons at the same date and venue.
