Vengeful University of Santo Tomas vented its ire on the University of Perpetual Help System Dalta, 25-15, 25-22, 25-15, at the start of their battle for third in the 2023 Shakey’s Super League (SSL) National Invitationals battle for third place Wednesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in Sa Juan.
Licking their wounds after a five-set heartbreaker against La Salle in the semifinals, the Golden Tigresses wasted no time pouring their wrath on the hapless Lady Altas, wrapping up the match in only 77 minutes of play.
A bevy of Golden Tigresses, led by Regina Jurado with 19 points, conspired in the easy victory as they moved one win shy from bagging the bronze medal in the first nationwide tournament of the SSL.
Jurado hammered 14 hits and five aces with rookie spiker Angeline Poyos chipping in 13 points. The duo had 29 and 25 points, respectively, in UST’s tough 25-22, 18-25, 25-14, 24-26, 24-26 defeat against UAAP champion and SSL finalist La Salle.
Xyza Gula and Mary Banagua added 10 points apiece for UST, which will try to clinch the third place in Game 2 on Saturday at the same venue.
“Maraming magandang indications na kaya naming sumabay. Though talagang bata ‘yung team pero yung pagiging promising, individually at as a group, malaking bagay,” said head coach Kungfu Reyes as UST is poised for a good start to its rebuilding stage after the graduation of multiple seniors led by ace spiker Eya Laure.
Save for a close second frame, the Golden Tigresses were pretty much in control, putting the clamps down on the Lady Altas in their lair ignited by searing 11-3 start for 25-15 first blood. UST then turned it up late in the third set, pulling away from 12-10 with a 13-5 barrage to clinch the win.
Reigning NCAA MVP Mary Rhose Dapol once again was the lone bright star for the Lady Altas with 12 points.
