THE UST Golden Tigresses are on a hot streak as they staved off the gritty Adamson Lady Falcons in four sets, 25-21, 20-25, 25-13, 27-25, in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament on Saturday, March 1, at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Tigresses tandem Angge Poyos and Reg Jurado combined for 38 points to hush down super rookie Shaina Nitura who detonated with 26 kills, 14 digs and 12 receptions.
UST improved its record to a 3-1 win-loss standing, while Adamson fell to a 2-2 slate.
In the opening frame, the Lady Falcons went on a 5-0 run capped off by a block from middle blocker Mayang Nuique, 12-9.
Three consecutive errors from Adamson allowed UST to pull away, 23-19. Lefty hitter Jurado then hammered down to take the first set, 25-21.
The San Marcelino squad got off to a quick 5-2 start, capitalizing on the España-based squad’s early miscues.
Adamson maintained its control after discharging a 6-0 run as Frances Mordi had back-to-back kills, 13-7. UST tried to respond but Nitura delivered a series of back-row kills before wrapping up the frame with a dump ball to level the match one set apiece, 25-20.
The Tigresses bounced back in the following set, building a 12-point cushion topped by back-to-back aces from middle blocker Pia Abbu, 22-10. Rookie Marga Altea converted a runner to close out the set with a sustained lead, 25-13.
Both squads traded blows in the fourth frame as Jurado struck a down-the-line hit to inch ahead, 18-16.
Nitura kept Adamson alive with her sharp crosscourt kills, 26-25. But it was Poyos who soared for a decisive pipe attack to secure the 28-26 set win.
“Even though we’re winning, we’re still not satisfied with what we’re doing,” UST libero Detdet Pepito said postgame.
Looking to sustain their momentum, the Tigresses will look to seal their fourth win against the UP Fighting Maroons on Wednesday, March 5, at the same venue. F – Nicole Atuan with reports from Mc Neil Zyh Serrano
