THE UST Golden Tigresses rolled past the Ateneo Blue Eagles for their first sweep in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament, 25-20, 25-23, 25-21, on Sunday, March 9, at the Mall of Asia Arena.
After their fifth consecutive victory, the Tigresses solidified their hold of second place with a 5–1 record.
Meanwhile, the Blue Eagles dropped to a 1-4 standing to remain at the seventh spot.
“We’re thankful because it’s our first time to win in straight sets… We still have to polish our receiving and service because we’re having doubts in our game,” UST assistant coach Yani Fernandez said postgame.
Ateneo started off strong as veteran AC Miner buried back-to-back crosscourt kills to cap a 6-0 run, 10-4. UST, however, was quick to find its rhythm after Pia Abbu’s quick attack ignited a 6-0 blitz to overtake the lead, 16-13.
The Golden Tigresses continued to pull away as Angge Poyos ended the set with an off-the-block hit, 25-20.
Momentum stayed on the España squad early in the second frame as Marga Altea had back-to-back kills to put her team on top by five, 9-4.
Ateneo tried to mount a comeback late in the set but backup spiker Beth Hilongo fired an off-the-block kill to go up two sets to none, 25-23.
Both squads traded points in the third salvo until Abbu got back-to-back kill blocks to mount a 4-0 run, 11-5.
A 4-0 counter run capped by an ace from Miner breathed life for Ateneo, 11-10. UST eventually pulled away as lefty opposite spiker Reg Jurado shut down Lyann de Guzman to win the match.
Poyos led the Tigresses with 19 points off of 16 attacks, two blocks and an ace. Jurado chalked up 12 attacks and two blocks, while Abbu delivered a career-high performance of eight attacks and five blocks.
Miner paced the Blue Eagles with 13 points, while De Guzman added 11.
The Golden Tigresses will seek to end the first round with a win against reigning champions NU Lady Bulldogs on Sunday, March 16, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum. F
