University of Santo Tomas found the right formula against a surging Far Eastern University, securing a 25-17, 25-18, 25-20 victory to grab a share of third place in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Women’s Volleyball Tournament at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on Saturday.
The Golden Tigresses now share the third and fourth spots with the Lady Tamaraws at the end of the first round, both holding identical 4-3 records.
The winner between Adamson University and the University of the Philippines on Sunday will join UST and FEU at 4-3.
After a shaky start to the season, UST is gradually regaining the form that earned them lofty preseason expectations, winning their last two first-round matches.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“Nag-start ’yan sa training namin last two days, talagang quality yung inensayo kasi hindi biro si FEU. Niremind lang namin ‘yung players na lahat ng inensayo kailangan lumabas sa game,” said UST assistant Yani Fernandez, as head coach Shaq Delos Santos hurried to the Filoil Centre to join his Premier Volleyball League team Cignal in a match against Capital1.
The Golden Tigresses moved as one, functioning like a well-oiled machine, turning what was expected to be a tight match into a lopsided win in just one hour and 33 minutes.
Gerzel Petallo and Lovely Lopez tried to rally the Lady Tamaraws in the third set, giving FEU a 15-13 lead midway.
But FEU shot itself in the foot with five errors, paving the way for a 7-1 UST run, highlighted by two service aces from Avril Bron, which gave the Golden Tigresses a 20-16 advantage en route to a straight-sets triumph.
“Alam naman namin ‘yung standing namin and alam naman namin na sobrang kailangan naming gumapang para makapasok sa Final Four. Maaga pa pero yun naman yung isa sa goals namin… Kailangan namin i-celebrate ito dahil hindi ito sobrang dali, sobrang hirap talaga kudos sa FEU talagang palong-palo kayo pag kami yung kalaban niyo,” said captain Detdet Pepito, who contributed 11 excellent digs and 10 excellent receptions.
Angge Poyos continued to be UST’s heavy hitter with 16 points and nine receptions, while Regina Jurado ably supported her with 10 points and nine digs.
Bron also had a well-rounded performance with 10 points, including four aces, three spikes, and three blocks, while Jonna Perdido added nine points.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
With UST’s wing spikers well-guarded, Jaz Ellarina led the Lady Tamaraws with 10 points, but their three-game winning streak was halted.
Petallo produced nine points and 11 receptions but sustained a right-arm injury midway through the third set following a collision with a teammate.
Congo’s Faida Bakanke added eight points, while Alyzza Devosora was limited to four.
