SHAKING OFF a rusty start, the UST Golden Tigresses dispatched the Ateneo Blue Eagles in four sets, 21-25, 25-11, 25-22, 25-12, to start the second round of the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball tournament on a high note on Saturday, March 21.
The wing tandem of Angge Poyos and Reg Jurado delivered a combined 45 points as the Tigresses extended their streak to three wins after opening the season 2-3 at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Poyos led the way with 22 attacks, three blocks and 11 excellent receptions, while Jurado added 14 attacks and six blocks on top of 21 digs.
“I’m glad we were able to show that today, especially with our next game coming up against La Salle—it’s going to be a tough one,” Jurado told The Flame.
“Of course, there are still areas we need to polish, but those are things we can work on and improve in the coming trainings,” the lefty opposite added.
The opening set saw a seesaw battle early on, with both teams trading points. UST held a slim 9-8 edge after a 1-2 play from setter Cassie Carballo.
Ateneo, however, quickly turned things around, mounting a 7-3 run capped by an ace from middle blocker Donna de Leon to take a three-point lead, 15-12.
UST managed to level the score at 20-all behind an off-the-block hit from Poyos, but a late error-filled stretch, coupled with a strong attack from Ana Hermosura, allowed Ateneo to secure the first set, 25-21.
The Tigresses bounced back in the second frame, jumping to a dominant 19-9 run highlighted by consecutive blocks from Blessing Unekwe and Jurado.
UST then closed out the set convincingly with another denial from Jurado, 25-11.
Carrying that momentum into the third set, Carballo leaned on Poyos as UST built a 14-9 advantage midway.
Despite a late rally from Ateneo to cut the deficit to a single point, 22-21, UST sophomore Marga Altea delivered back-to-back points from the right pin to help seal the set for her team, 25-22.
The España-based squad maintained control in the fourth set, leading by as much as 13 points, punctuated by a quick hit from rookie Avril Bron for a 23-10 cushion.
Poyos then finished things off with a block on Ysa Nisperos to secure the set and the match, 25-12.
Lefty Jonna Perdido chipped in 10 markers on nine attacks and an ace for the España squad.
Hermosura was the lone Blue Eagle in double figures with 11 points, all from attacks, along with 12 digs.
The Tigresses will aim to extend their winning streak as they face the league leader DLSU Lady Spikers on Wednesday, March 25, at the same venue. F
