THE UST Golden Tigresses outclassed the UP Fighting Maroons in four sets, 25-11, 25-23, 23-25, 25-12, to attain their fourth straight win in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball on March 5, Wednesday, at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Top spikers Reg Jurado and Angge Poyos combined for 43 points—with 40 coming from attacks—to command the Tigresses to victory.
With a 4-1 record, UST strengthened its hold on the second seed. UP slipped to a 2-3 standing.
The Tigresses started the match with a roaring 9-0 run fueled by an off-the-block kill from Jurado. The Fighting Maroons was not able to respond as Poyos drove in back-to-back aces to close out the opening set, 25-11.
Things tightened up in the second set after UP’s opposite hitter Kianne Olango scored four straight kills to put the game at a 23-all deadlock. Jurado drilled a hit before UP commited an error in the next possession, giving UST a two-set advantage, 25-23.
Not wanting to be swept, the Diliman-based squad controlled the pace with a 23-17 lead in the third frame. The España squad tried to catch up, but a hit from UP open spiker Irah Jaboneta forced another set, 25-23.
In the fourth frame, the Golden Tigresses built a 11-3 cushion capped off by a block from setter Cassie Carballo. This prevented the Fighting Maroons from making another run.
Detdet Pepito carried UST in the defensive end with 22 excellent digs and 10 excellent receptions. Carballo finished with 21 excellent sets to go along with seven markers.
Olango paced UP with 18 points on 14 kills, two blocks and two aces while Joan Monares chipped in 13 markers.
The Tigresses will try to maintain their winning ways when they face the Ateneo Blue Eagles on March 9 at the same venue. F
