THE UST Golden Tigresses moved closer to a Final Four slot after thrashing the UE Lady Warriors via sweep, 25-19, 25-16, 25-15, in the second round of the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament on Saturday, April 12, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Sitting at a 8-4 record, the Tigresses took solo hold of third place.
Meanwhile, the league-worst Lady Warriors dropped their 13th consecutive loss in the season.
“As much as possible, we don’t put pressure on ourselves about who our next opponent will be,” Tigress captain and libero Detdet Pepito told The Flame.
Tigresses wasted no time as they kickstarted the game with an eight-point advantage behind three-straight points from ace spiker Angge Poyos, 22-14.
UE made crucial errors in the latter stretch, including a service error that handed UST the first frame, 25-19.
In the second set, the Tigresses showcased their offensive prowess led by outside hitter Kyla Cordora and middle blocker Em Banagua to take a 20-10 cushion.
Rookie lefty Ashlee Knop claimed the second salvo for UST with an off-the-block hit, 25-16.
Down two sets, the Recto squad tried to climb back and keep the game within reach, 9-7. The España-based squad then unleased an 11-2 barrage sparked by a quick attack from Banagua, 20-9.
Despite committing four errors in the latter part of the set, the Tigresses’ pesky floor defense shut down the Lady Warriors to win the match.
Poyos delivered 12 attacks for UST. Jurado followed it up with a double-double performance on 10 points and 10 digs, while Cordora added eight kills.
Nessa Bangayan chipped in six markers for UE.
The Tigresses will go on a Holy Week break before facing the UP Fighting Maroons on Wednesday, April 23, at the Mall of Asia Arena. F – Nicole Atuan
