NOT-SO-LITTLE TIGRESSES

It didn’t matter to the University of Santo Tomas (UST) that La Salle got its “angel” back.

This undersized bunch of cat-quick Tigresses continued to bedevil the Lady Spikers anyway and armed themselves with the last twice-to-beat advantage in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament.

“Having a huge win against La Salle tonight is a good way to enter the top four,” coach KungFu Reyes said in Filipino minutes after UST’s 22-25, 25-23, 25-16, 25-15 victory over the defending champions locked the España-based squad in the No. 2 spot for a crucial semifinal bonus. “We were not only aiming to reach the top four but also to earn the twice-to-beat advantage.”

The Tigresses will be using that Final Four shield against the Lady Spikers, who dropped to No. 3.

UST actually tied National University at 12-2 (win-loss) but the Lady Bulldogs drew the No. 1 seed by virtue of superior match points, 36-34.

“It wasn’t an easy process for the young ones, especially [since they were] facing the defending champion,” Reyes said. “We are only starting a new chapter [and] we are now [in] the Final Four.”

Leading Rookie of the Year candidate Angge Poyos spearheaded the charge of those young ones with 22 points built from 18 attacks, three blocks an an ace while sophomore Jonna Perdido, who was also instrumental in UST’s round one win against La Salle, unloaded 19 points, 18 of which were vital attack points.

In front of a roaring crowd of 14,939, the young UST team—which has no seniors on its roster—refused to be intimidated by the moment. Against a championship-tested crew that welcomed back last year’s Rookie-Most Valuable Player winner Angel Canino after a five-game absence due to injury, the Tigresses held their own despite dropping the opening set.

“I am proud of this young team. We didn’t expect to reach this far,” UST captain Detdet Pepito, who as a junior is already the most experienced standout in the squad, said. “Since we are here, I keep telling [my teammates] to embrace the moment, win the games, [and] enjoy and cherish the time that we have together inside the court.”

Anticipated comeback

Pepito finished with 17 excellent digs and six excellent receptions. Regina Jurado, a sophomore, also finished in twin digits with 13 points from 10 attacks, a pair of aces and a block. Pocket rocket Xyza Gula finished with only two points but those were crucial aces that clinched the last two sets of the two-hour and six-minute encounter.

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Canino made her anticipated comeback for La Salle and immediately made her impact to help the Lady Spikers’ strong opening set. Baby Jyne Soreno also made her return after injuring her shoulder.

Although Canino showed signs of her former self and scattered 13 attack points, the La Salle ace’s effort was still not enough to counter the high level of play displayed by the Tigresses.

Shevana Laput was still productive even with Canino back inside the court with her and paced La Salle with 26 points on 23 kills, two aces and a block.

“We really worked for how we played tonight so it wasn’t easy but it bore fruit,” UST’s sophomore middle blocker Pia Abbu said. INQ