Xyza Gula has been the designated service specialist for University of Santo Tomas in their first game last Sunday against National University.
It looked like it would be Gula’s same role early on in the Golden Tigresses’ match against University of the East as she entered in the second set to serve.
But with the game tied at set apiece and UE ahead at the beginning of the third frame, UST head coach Kungfu Reyes decided to put the 5-foot-5 Gula back to her natural position of outside hitter.
And she delivered as the Golden Tigresses eked out an 18-25, 25-19, 25-17, 25-22 victory over the Lady Warriors on Wednesday night to improve to 2-0 in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The 20-year-old sophomore finished with 10 points on 50 percent efficiency in spikes in just two sets played as an open hitter.
“Siguro binigay ko lang yung best ko since yun nga second stringer po ako and binigay ko lang kung ano yung laro ko para maka-ambag sa team,” said Gula after the match.
“Nag-take advantage lang ako sa chance na makalaro na ako, na ipakita ko yung kaya ko.”
It was a sluggish performance for UST, which allowed UE to get a fast start on all four frames but that was also what sparked Gula’s performance.
The standout from Leyte shared that she just brought back the energy and fire of the Golden Tigresses for them to remain unbeaten.
“Siguro nakita ko kasi nung first set nawala yung gigil saka aggressiveness nila so noong chance ko na na madala yung team sa aggressiveness at ienjoy yung team, siguro doon ko po nadala yung team na ilabas yung laro namin.”
