UST Golden Tigresses’ Detdet Pepito and Angge Poyos during a UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament game against La Salle Lady Spikers. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
University of Santo Tomas carved out a first winning streak in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament after surviving La Salle, 25-15, 22-25, 13-25, 25-23, 15-13, on Thursday at Mall of Asia Arena.
The Golden Tigresses leaned on an all-around effort to improve to a 2-1 record but it was hugely because of Angge Poyos’ 28-point output built on 24 attacks, three blocks and an ace apart from 16 excellent digs.
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LIVE: UAAP Season 87 volleyball – La Salle vs UST, Adamson vs UE
“What a great match, as people have been saying. Credit also to La Salle for playing well,” assistant coach Yani Fernandez said. “When it came to the fifth set, we told ourselves that whoever wanted the win more would be the one to get it.”
“We just showed who we are, and our composure on the court made the difference. Communication was the most important thing. We may have lost the second set, but we just went back to our system and trusted each other,” Poyos said.
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Regina Jurado was also productive with 17 points, all but one from kills, including crucial plays down the stretch while rookie Marga Altea contributed 10 points, three coming off blocks, despite playing off the bench in the last two frames.
UST Golden Tigresses’ Reg Jurado and Cassie Carballo. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Cassie Carballo orchestrated UST’s offense with 22 excellent sets while captain-libero Detdet Pepito protected the Tigresses’ floor with 24 excellent digs and 16 excellent receptions.
Both teams gave all they got in the action-packed two-hour and 19 minute clash even with lopsided set scores.
It all came down in the deciding frame where neither team refused to let the other pull away for an 11-all tie. Angel Canino gave up a crucial attack error down the line before an Altea hit on a floating ball to give UST the lead, 13-11.
Shevana Laput scored from a drop ball before Jurado responded through a combination drop. Bianca Plaza made things even more interesting after giving La Salle a free point due to a service error, but Archer libero Francesca Rodriguez was called on a double contact violation that finalized the result.
This is the latest installment to the longstanding rivalry of the two schools and the Tigresses’ fourth straight victory over the Lady Archers since the second round of Season 85.
La Salle Lady Spikers’ Angel Canino during a UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball game against UST Golden Tigresses. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
This is La Salle’s worst start since Season 68, where it eventually emerged as champion in 2006 where it also had a 1-2 start.
The Lady Spikers still fought wel, buoyed by Canino’s 25-point performance out of 21 attacks, three aces and a block highlighted by 17 excellent digs and 16 excellent receptions.
Laput stood by her side with 18 points and Amie Provido chipped in 10 points as rookie setter Mikole Reyes tossed 15 excellent sets.
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The Tigresses can make it three in a row when they meet Shaina Nitura and Adamson on Saturday while the Lady Spikers try to move to the win column again facing University of the Philippines on Sunday, both still in the Pasay City venue.
