University of Santo Tomas vented its frustrations on Ateneo de Manila University for its first win in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Women’s Volleyball Tournament, 26-24, 25-18, 25-21, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday.
After two losses to start coach Shaq delos Santos’ second tour of duty with the Golden Tigresses, the España-based squad overcame the Blue Eagles in a tense first set and took control in the next two to secure the victory.
Angge Poyos continued her stellar play, delivering 21 points on 19-of-39 attacks — along with a block and an ace — to lead UST’s rebound from back-to-back losses to National University and La Salle. The Season 86 Rookie of the Year was locked in from start to finish.
Fifteen years since his last stint as Golden Tigresses head coach, Delos Santos expressed relief at emerging triumphant and moving forward.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“Una sa lahat, thank you kay Lord. Amen. Nanalo na kami, and I think magiging inspiration sa amin itong first win namin dahil galing sa dalawang talo,” said Delos Santos, who led the Tigresses to their 15th and most recent title in Season 73 (2010). “I’m sure mas babawi pa kami sa mga susunod na games.”
UST’s next match will be special as they face University of the East at home at the Quadricentennial Pavilion Arena on Saturday. While the Tigresses have played at QPav before, it was only in exhibition matches against alumni and club teams.
The Blue Eagles came out firing in the second set, racing to 7-1 and later 12-7, but the Golden Tigresses answered with an 18-6 run to take the frame, 25-18, moving one set away from the win.
Marga Altea, Angge Poyos, and Regina Jurado spearheaded that game-turning rally for a 2-0 set advantage.
Jurado, Poyos, and Xyza Gula then led UST in the third set to complete the sweep in one hour and 39 minutes.
“Huwag mag-dwell kung anong nangyari sa past two games namin. Talagang nag-move forward kami at kinalimutan namin yung mga nangyari. Nag-focus kami sa present. Mas naging solid and buo kami this time. And I hope na magtuloy-tuloy,” said Poyos.
After being limited to single digits in their first two games, Jurado found her rhythm with 12 points and 12 excellent digs. Meanwhile, Altea contributed eight points on four attacks, three blocks, and an ace.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Dona De Leon scored 10 points for the Blue Eagles, who remain winless in three outings. Fellow rookie Ana Hermosura added eight points and 10 digs, while Zey Pacia also contributed eight points in the defeat.
After scoring 21 points in their five-set loss to University of the Philippines last weekend, JLo Delos Santos was held to just four points on a 4-of-39 spiking clip.
Ateneo will face De La Salle University in a 1:00 PM matinee rivalry match on Sunday at the Big Dome.
