INTENSE FLOOR defense helped the UST Golden Tigresses secure the first final four spot in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
UST toppled the Adamson Lady Falcons in four nail-biting sets, 22-25, 25-20, 26-24, 25-20, recovering from its shocking loss to the NU Lady Bulldogs on March 24.
The Tigresses gained a 9-3 advantage early in the first set courtesy of rookie Angge Poyos’ consecutive attacks. Adamson halted UST’s momentum as Ayesha Juegos served up an ace, 19-all.
When the game reached a 20-all deadlock, Adamson’s Barbie Jamili fired up back-to-back attack points to clinch a 25-20 set-win against UST.
It was a neck-and-neck match in the second frame as the two teams exchanged blows, 11-all. Jamili sparked a mini-rally after a down-the-line kill, allowing the Falcons to lead by two points, 15-13.
Adamson was then dogged by errors, enabling UST to snatch the second set, 25-20.
Adamson clawed back immediately in the third frame, leading by as much as three points, 17-14. UST regrouped briefly, but Lady Falcon Mayang Nuique scored off a quick attack to extend the set, 24-all.
The Tigresses quickly recovered as middle blocker Bianca Plaza sealed the set with two consecutive points, 26-24.
UST remained aggressive in the fourth set, pulling off a 5-0 run, 21-15. Jamili tried to bolster Adamson’s offense, but Tigress blocker Mae Coronado delivered a quick hit to end the game, 25-20.
This win bolstered the Tigresses’ twice-to-beat advantage hopes with a 9-1 blitz, while the Falcons fell to 2-7.
“We just keep (on) grinding, that’s our baseline. That’s how we prepare. We polish our skills, we regroup, we correct the committed unforced errors. We further sharpen our skills, “ UST head coach Emilio “Kung Fu” Reyes said postgame.
Rookie Angge Poyos carried UST with a career-high 31 points built on 27 attacks, three aces, and a block. Jonna Perdido and Reg Jurado both contributed 12 markers.
Jamili led Adamson’s offense with 20 attack points, while Ishie Lalongisip chalked up 14 markers.
The rookie laden Tigresses will face off against the UP Lady Maroons on April 10 at the same venue. F – with reports from Mc Neil Zhy Serrano
