UST makes it 3 straight ahead of La Salle duel
University of Santo Tomas stretched its winning streak to three games with a 21-25, 25-11, 25-22, 25-12 victory over Ateneo in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Women’s Volleyball Tournament on Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Golden Tigresses rebounded from a slow start after dropping the opening set, dominating the next three frames to improve to 5-3 and move into a tie for third place with Far Eastern University.
UST also built precious momentum ahead of its second-round showdown with La Salle on Wednesday.
“We just reminded the players to stick to what we’re supposed to do,” said assistant coach Yani Fernandez, who spoke in place of head coach Shaq Delos Santos. “We had a slow start in the first set and they took it from us. Maybe they needed that wake-up call, but they responded well.”
UST quickly imposed its rhythm with a dominant 25-11 win in the second set before fending off Ateneo’s challenge in the third.
Clutch hits from Angge Poyos and Marga Altea sealed a 25-22 third-set victory for a 2-1 lead.
The Tigresses then pulled away in the fourth, turning a 6-6 tie into a 15-7 advantage behind an Avril Bron ace, an Ateneo attack error, and a Jonna Perdido block. UST maintained control the rest of the way to close out the match in one hour and 48 minutes.
Poyos led UST with 25 points built on 22 attacks and three blocks, adding 11 excellent receptions and five digs.
“For me, we still have a lot to improve, like our connection from setter to spiker and from middle to setter,” Poyos said. “We’ll work on polishing those in training as we prepare for La Salle.”
All-around effort
Reg Jurado delivered an all-around effort with 20 points, including six of UST’s 12 blocks, along with 21 digs.
Perdido added 11 points, while Bron chipped in seven.
Setter Cassie Carballo orchestrated the offense with 22 excellent sets, while team captain Detdet Pepito anchored the defense with 10 excellent receptions and 13 digs.
Ateneo, which had been coming off a breakthrough win over University of the East, slipped to 1-7 and remained in seventh place despite taking the first set.
Rookie Ana Hermosura paced the Blue Eagles with 13 points, while Zel Tsunashima added nine. Alex Montoro contributed eight points, and Jihan Chuatico finished with seven.
