THE UST Golden Tigresses returned to their winning ways in the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball tournament, taking down the UP Fighting Maroons in four sets, 16-25, 25-13, 25-19, 25-20, on Wednesday, March 11, at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Star spikers Angge Poyos and Reg Jurado paved the way for the Tigresses’ bounce-back victory, combining for 40 points as UST improved to 3-3 in the standings.
“The mindset of the team is one game at a time… I’m thankful because we put in the effort, despite a slow start,” Poyos said postgame.
“Even if the first set wasn’t great, we really fought for it, and we reminded ourselves that this is a must-win,” Jurado added.
Poyos finished with 24 points on 20 attacks, three blocks and an ace, while Jurado backed her up with 16 markers on 15 attacks and a block.
The Tigresses opened the match plagued by errors, which were followed by attacks from Niña Ytang, giving the Maroons the early edge, 16-9.
Despite UST finding offense in the latter part of the set, UP stayed in control with its 10 forced opponent errors, as a quick hit from Bienne Bansil placed her team on the board, 25-16.
The España squad cleaned up in the second salvo, as a kill from Jonna Perdido through the block, followed by consecutive opponent miscues, capitalized on a 16-8 start.
The Tigresses continued strumming the chords with a late offensive surge from Poyos to tie up the match at one set apiece, 25-13.
Both teams exchanged blows to start the third set, but back-to-back points off the block from lefty spikers Jurado and Jonna Perdido gave the España volleybelles a slim 15-11 lead.
The Tigresses kept their momentum with Perdido delivering a kill from the left flank to hand UST the third frame, 25-19.
UP was leading early in the fourth set before UST got back to rhythm, gaining a close 16-14 edge after a crosscourt laser from Jurado followed by a Lianne Penuliar block.
Despite a late run sparked by UP’s Jelai Gajero, a service error from Jaz Manguilimotan ultimately secured the win for the Tigresses.
UST playmaker Cassie Carballo had 18 excellent sets, while Perdido added 12 points on nine attacks, two aces and a block.
Ytang paced the Maroons in the loss with 14 points off of 11 attacks and three blocks, while Gajero added 12 markers.
The Tigresses will attempt to forge back-to-back wins to close the first round when they face neighboring rivals FEU Lady Tamaraws on Saturday, March 14, at the same venue. F
