THE UST Golden Tigresses (11-2) swept the UE Lady Warriors (2-11), 25-19, 25-9, 25-17, fueled by a superb performance by MVP candidate Angge Poyos in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament on Sunday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Poyos scored 25 points as the Golden Tigresses solidified their twice-to-beat bid and broke their deadlock with the DLSU Lady Spikers (10-2).
UE started strong in the opening set with Khy Cepada scoring a point, 1-0. The Lady Warriors tried to stay close to the Tigresses, but middle blocker Pia Abbu scored back-to-back points to allow UST to lead by two, 16-14.
Poyos executed two consecutive attacks to extend the lead for UST, 18-14. Mary Banagua, who returned in today’s game after a minor injury, finished the first set with a quick attack, 25-19.
Middle blocker Bianca Plaza started the second frame with a quick attack, allowing UST to ignite a 4-0 run, 16-4. Lady Warrior Cepada tried to stop the bleeding through an off the block hit and an error from Tigress lefty Reg Jurado, 22-9.
Poyos responded quickly by firing a pipe attack and an ace to bring UST to set point, 24-9. UE then committed an error, giving UST a two-set advantage, 25-9.
Tigress setter Cassie Carballo committed a service error in the third salvo, and UE followed it up for a 9-5 stint before a red-hot Poyos converted a soft tip into a point, 10-6.
Cepada managed to give UE two points back as she scored a crosscourt hit and an off the block attack, 12-7. UST retaliated immediately as Pierre Abellana and Poyos sparked a momentum, 23-16. Carballo then delivered the match-winning point, 25-17.
Poyos, who was named the Player of the Game, brought UST in the winning column with 25 points from 21 attacks, three aces and a block, while Jurado contributed 11 markers.
Cepada led the UE Lady Warriors with nine attack points. Casley Dongallo chipped in seven, her lowest output in the season.
The Golden Tigresses aim to eliminate the DLSU Lady Spikers’ twice-to-beat hopes as they face-off on Saturday, April 27, at the same venue.F
