THE UST Golden Tigresses proved their depth by overcoming the absence of key players, fending off the bottom-seeded UP Fighting Maroons in a four-set battle, 25-14, 25-12, 28-30, 25-15, in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament on Wednesday.
Despite missing lead scorer Angge Poyos and middle blocker Em Banagua due to minor injuries, the Tigresses roared to their 10th win of the season at the Mall of Asia Arena, becoming the first team to reach double-digits in the standings.
Meanwhile, UP sank down to a 1-10 slate.
Coming off the Holy Week break, the battle kicked off with the Tigresses exhibiting their dominance. Opposite hitter Reg Jurado punched an off-the-block hit to mount a 12-point advantage, 21-9.
UST maintained its lead to take the first frame after UP middle blocker Pling Baclay’s service went out of bounds, 25-14.
The second set followed a similar script as the Tigresses continued to manhandle the Fighting Maroons behind a crosscourt kill from Beth Hilongo, who played as a hitter in this game, taking hold of a 13-point cushion, 25-12.
The third set, however, saw a shift in momentum. Both teams traded blows, forcing an extended set after a straight drive Jurado kill tied the score at 24-all.
Down two sets to none, UP dazed UST with two consecutive power kills from Steph Bustrillo and Jewel Encarnacion, 30-28.
The España-based squad regrouped in the fourth frame, launching a 4-0 run to start.
Although the Diliman-based squad fought back to within four points courtesy of a running attack by Nina Ytang, the Tigresses refused to relinquish control.
Back-to-back blocks by Jonna Perdido and Mae Coronado sealed the victory for UST, 25-15.
“We stepped up… The win was for Angge and Em. That was our motivation,” Perdido, who was named Player of the Game, said in a postgame interview.
Perdido, along with Jurado, shouldered the scoring load in Poyos’ absence. Both players finished with 24 points each, while open spiker Xyza Gula chipped in 12 kills.
Ytang led the charge for UP, chalking up 14 markers on 12 attacks and a couple of blocks. Opposite hitter Stephanie Bustrillo chalked up nine attacks and an ace.
The Golden Tigresses aim to continue their winning ways as they square up against FEU Lady Tamaraws on April 13 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. F
