THE UST Golden Tigresses are off to a bad start as they succumbed to the reigning NU Lady Bulldogs in four grueling sets, 25-23, 25-19, 23-25, 26-23, during the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball tournament on Sunday, Feb. 15, at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The loss spoiled the comeback of UST stars Jonna Perdido and Xyza Gula, who were sidelined in Season 87 due to injuries, as well as the return of champion head coach Shaq delos Santos.
Entering the season without three-time MVP Bella Belen and Season 86 Best Opposite Spiker Alyssa Solomon, NU relied on the one-two punch of super rookie Sam Cantada and team captain Vange Alinsug, who combined for 39 points.
The defending champions started strong after back-to-back blocks from Alex Mata and Chammy Maaya, triggering a 6-1 blitz for an 8-3 edge.
While UST conjured up a run to inch closer after an ace by Cassie Carballo, Cantada bombed a crosscourt kill to hand NU the first set, 25-23.
The Lady Bulldogs stepped on the gas early in the second frame as Arah Panique launched a kill to lead by nine, 17-8. The Tigresses cut the deficit midway through the set behind Angge Poyos’ three straight points, 18-14.
Cantada, once again, pierced through the España wall twice to give the Jhocson-based squad a two-set advantage, 25-19.
The Tigresses were quick to recover in the third set as Gula and rookie opposite spiker Julia Balingit provided spark from the bench in a 6-1 run, 13-8.
Despite untimely errors in the latter part, a crucial block by rookie Avril Bron and an off-the-block kill by Gula kept the Tigresses alive in the match, 25-23.
Momentum stayed on the side of the España squad in the fourth frame after Bron dished an ace that put the team up by four, 20-16.
With two points away to extend the match, Cantada drilled a kill and two straight aces to put NU at match point, but Poyos was quick to retaliate for an extended set, 24-all.
Alinsug sealed the match point for the defending champions as Poyos’s attack sailed out to end their opening match with a loss.
Panique added 15 points, while sophomore setter Abe Pono contributed seven points and 13 excellent sets.
Poyos paced UST in the loss with 18 points from 15 attacks and three blocks, while Balingit added 10 markers.
Another marquee matchup awaits the Golden Tigresses as they gun for their first win against rival DLSU Lady Spikers on Sunday, Feb. 22, at the same venue. F
