THE UST Golden Tigresses smothered the Ateneo Blue Eagles in straight sets, 25-15, 26-24, 26-24, in the second round of the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament on Saturday, April 5, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Season 86 Rookie of the Year Angge Poyos showcased 16 points on 15 attacks to help the Golden Tigresses to improve their record to 7-4.
On the other side, the Blue Eagles flipped to a 4-7 slate.
“It’s a big deal for us to get back in the winning column because the team’s morale dropped a bit when we had those consecutive losses,” UST playmaker Cassie Carballo told The Flame.
The España squad growled to an aggressive start with lefty Mabs Hilongo delivering a down-the-line kill, 8-3.
UST continued to ride on its momentum as Hilongo’s hit clipped the top of the block, 25-15.
The second set saw a tighter start from both teams before the Tigresses overtook control with back-to-back hits from Hilongo and Poyos, 13-12. The Blue Eagles, however, regained the lead courtesy of open hitter Lyan De Guzman swiping off the block, 19-17.
Down by one at set-point, UST drove a late comeback topped off by a long crosscourt shot from Poyos to steal the set, 26-24.
In a similar script, the two teams traded blows in the third frame but UST established a three-point edge late after a Marga Altea block on Lyann de Guzman, 19-16.
The Katipunan squad tried to claw back after saving two match points but the España-based team came out on top as Carballo blocked Alex Montoro, 26-24.
Rookie Marga Altea racked up 10 points built on seven attacks and three blocks, while Jurado also added 10 markers for UST.
Meanwhile, AC Miner led the scoring for Ateneo with 13 points. De Guzman contributed 12 attacks.
The Golden Tigresses will gun for their third straight win as they face the UE Lady Warriors on April 12, Saturday, at the same venue. F
