University of Santo Tomas mixed up its starters with its Final Four hopes flickering, searching for spark, hope, and fire.
Against the University of the Philippines, the Golden Tigresses fielded Blessing Unekwe and Julia Balingit as starting middle blocker and outside hitter, respectively, after their strong performances in previous games in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Women’s Volleyball Tournament.
However, UST struggled early, dropping the first set, 23-25, prompting the coaching staff to reinsert usual starters Jonna Perdido and Lianne Penuliar.
The change proved decisive as the duo delivered the lift the Golden Tigresses needed to turn back the Fighting Maroons, 23-25, 25-21, 25-22, 25-19, securing at least a playoff for a Final Four berth on Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
“Well, yun nga eh, siyempre, familiar kami kay Jonna and kay Lianne na iniistart. So, siguro challenge lang din sa kanila, dahil parang yung, ano ba, yung mindset ba? Kasi, okay ba ako sa off the bench? Okay ba ako sa starter?” said UST assistant coach Yani Fernandez after the game.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Angge Poyos and Regina Jurado were not alone in powering the Golden Tigresses’ offense. Perdido stepped up with 13 points on 11 attacks, one block, and one ace, along with nine excellent receptions, while Penuliar contributed across the board with eight points on four attacks, two blocks, and two aces.
UST now faces a must-win assignment against back-to-back champion National University on Wednesday to stay in contention for a semifinal spot.
“Inisip ko lang na need kong mag-contribute sa team. Especially yung sa mga coaches na nagtitiwala sa akin and yung mga teammates na nagtitiwala talaga sa akin. Kaya, ginive effort ko talaga, all-out na talaga,” said Penuliar, a rookie out of UST High School.
Penuliar and fellow rookie Avril Bron were highly touted products of the high school program after both earned Best Middle Blocker honors in the Season 87 Girls’ Volleyball Tournament.
Bron also chipped in eight points in this match on six spikes, one block, and one ace.
“Very proud lang din sa mga bata, especially kina Lianne, kina Bron, like mga middle blocker namin, nakakapag-contribute sa game, like mga blocks. Kasi, ayun nga, nagagawa nila sa training, so, happy lang din na nakikita namin na nagagawa din nila sa game,” said a proud Poyos.
“I’m very proud lang na ‘yung mga rookies namin ay tumutulong din sa pag-contribute in terms of points.”
