THE UST Golden Tigresses strengthened their grip at the top spot after showing mastery over the FEU Lady Tamaraws in the V-League women’s collegiate challenge on Sunday, Aug. 11.
UST took down FEU in a sweep, 25-23, 25-16, 25-13 to claim its third consecutive win at the Paco Arena.
It was a sea-saw battle in the opening frame as Lady Tamaraw open hitter Gerz Petallo gave her team a two-point edge after a down-the-line smash, 20-18.
Overcoming control, UST broke a 23-all tie with back-to-back points capped off by an off-the-block kill from sophomore Angge Poyos to claim the first set, 25-23.
The second set saw the Golden Tigresses firing on all cylinders, 8-0. Lefty Reg Jurado dominated the attacks, widening her team’s lead by as much as 10 points, 18-8.
The Morayta squad tried to mount a comeback but the España-based squad was too much to handle. Poyos sealed the second set for her team after breaking the opponent’s wall with a kill, 25-16.
Playing with high confidence in the third salvo, UST put on a defensive showcase led by Em Banagua, who was named Player of the Game.
Three straight kills from rookie outside hitter Kyla Cordora gave the Tigresses a 13-point cushion, 18-5. An error by FEU’s Petallo in the final set secured UST’s third consecutive victory in the league.
Spikers Poyos and Jurado led the Tigresses’ offense with 14 and 11 markers, respectively. Banagua held her own on the defensive side, contributing four blocks out of eight points.
Meanwhile, Petallo steered FEU’s scoring load with eight points, followed by middle blockers Jean Asis and Jaz Ellarina with seven markers apiece.
The Golden Tigresses will look to maintain their flawless 3-0 record as they go against the Benilde Lady Blazers on Aug. 25, at the same venue. F
