NEARLY A year ago, the UST Golden Tigresses fell flat in claiming the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball crown as they succumbed to the NU Lady Bulldogs in a sweep.While eyeing another redemption run, the Tigresses suffered huge blows before Season 87 even commenced: losing the firepower of spikers Jonna Perdido and Xyza Gula to season-ending injuries.
During the Shakey’s Super League Preseason Championship in November 2024, opposite hitter Perdido tore her ACL after landing awkwardly in their battle for bronze against the FEU Lady Tamaraws. About a month later, sparkplug Gula badly hit the deck and fractured her tailbone.
With such an unfortunate turn of events, the España-based squad is left with huge holes to fill in the upcoming season.
However, UST coach Emilio “Kung Fu” Reyes gave an assurance that the team is geared up to take on challenges.
“Well, we keep saying, pressure is privilege,” Reyes told The Flame.
“Not everyone feels the same way we do, but we’re used to it… We’ve just embraced it, and we’re well prepared,” he added.
While no player exited the Tigresses in the offseason, the veteran tactician acknowledged how the team composition still had some big changes from the previous year.
“[W]e have uncertainties with injuries, especially Jonna… That’s one of the biggest changes that happened, especially with our core players,” he said.
“It’s been a little shaken up, but we have people who are ready.”
New claws
Although missing Perdido for the season was a significant loss for the team, Reyes said this should not faze the Tigresses, especially with the addition of new players who can step up.
“Experience-wise, maturity-wise, that’s what we lost. Championship experience, Jonna’s leadership, the scoring, of course, the defense… So, it’s a pretty big loss but we can’t stop, we have people who can replace them,” he said.
“At least we were able to adjust after a bit of a long preparation,” he added.
Last season’s silver medalists have bolstered their roster with five fresh yet familiar faces.
Leading the newcomers is 6-foot UST high school standout Margaret Altea. The promising rookie earned the second-best middle blocker title in UAAP Season 85 girls’ volleyball. Altea was instrumental in the Junior Golden Tigresses’ campaign last season, helping them win bronze after tumbling to the NUNS Lady Bullpups in the step-ladder semifinals. Coming from UST’s junior program, Altea transitioned smoothly into the system but still had adjustments to make, particularly on refining her on-court performance.
“I will just give my best and apply everything I’ve learned from my coaches,” she said.
Joining her in the senior squad is libero Sandrine Escober, another former Junior Tigress. The homegrown talent will be sharing floor defense duties with Season 86 Best Libero and team captain Bernadette Pepito.
Rookie setter Arlene Waje will also be a key addition and will be backing up reigning Best Setter Cassie Carballo in orchestrating the team’s offense.
“I’ll do my best to support and uplift my teammates whenever they need it since we don’t have any seniors or juniors on the court,” said the 18-year-old Waje.
UST is also set to debut 6-foot-2 Nigerian middle blocker Blessing Unekwe to bolster the frontline. She was recognized as the Best Blocker at the 2020 U-18 Girls African Nations Volleyball Championship.
Meanwhile, lefty hitter Ashley Knop is expected to fuel strong hits for the squad as she backs up Regina Jurado on the opposite side.
Tempered expectations
In the upcoming season, the Tigresses will be led by two skippers as Jurado will relieve Pepito with some of the leadership duties.
Taking on a more prominent role, Jurado has helped the pack prepare for what to expect in the league. The lefty opposite highlighted the need to set the rookies’ expectations, ensuring the Tigresses gel well with one another.
“I just realized back then that the ball is round because we entered last season with no expectations, yet we still ended up winning a silver medal and making it to the finals,” the co-captain said.
“I think for the upcoming seasons, we’ll take the same approach—not necessarily with no expectations, but with a sense of pride,” she added.
Despite the team changes, last season’s sole captain Pepito remains focused on the commitment she made to lead the team all the way after succeeding former Tigress Eya Laure.
“When it comes to leadership, especially for me, I never take that responsibility away from myself… I always have to lead because it’s one of my biggest responsibilities,” she said.
Senior middle blocker Pia Abbu said guiding the team would not be that challenging as the new recruits are receptive and cooperative. According to the veteran, leadership is not dependent on who is present or absent but rather on the responsibility one takes to lead.
“It’s easy to train the rookies who joined because they are willing to learn… That’s why it hasn’t been too hard to guide them,” Abbu said.
While they have learned to temper their expectations, the Tigresses are putting in the work to achieve their ultimate goal, Reyes said.
“All of our pre-season tournaments, preparations, all of our sacrifices, even if it takes us into the night,” the tactician said.
“That is really our ultimate goal, to return the crown to this school, but we will work hard, day by day, game by game.”
The Golden Tigresses will commence their campaign with a faceoff with the FEU Lady Tamaraws on Saturday, Feb. 15., at the Mall of Asia Arena. F – Czarina Mari Agaton and Francia Migyel Violeta with reports from Mc Neil Zyh Serrano
