University of Santo Tomas snared the bronze medal in the 2023 Shakey’s Super League (SSL) National Invitationals by completing a two-game sweep of the University of Perpetual Help System Dalta capped by a 25-20, 25-21, 17-25, 25-13 Game 2 win Saturday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
The Golden Tigresses made it up for a third-set mishap with a relentless showing in the fourth set for a 2-0 sweep in their best-of-three battle for third place after an easy 25-15, 25-22, 25-15 win in Game 1.
UST broke the gates wide open with a 14-3 closeout in the fourth frame behind the lethal duo of Angeline Poyos and Regina Jurado to finish at the podium of the historic 12-team SSL nationwide tilt presented by Eurotel as the official hotel and Victory Liner as office transport provider, and in cooperation with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).
It’s the first medal of the Golden Tigresses in any major tournament since 2019 when they finished runner-up to Ateneo in the UAAP Season 81.
“Finally, nagkaroon din kami ng medal,” said coach Kungfu Reyes, introducing a glimpse of what’s in store for España in a new era after the graduation of its core led by long-time ace spiker Eya Laure.
Super rookie Poyos marched on to the frontline of the new Golden Tigresses by firing 26 points on 16 hits, two blocks and eight aces while sophomore Jurado chipped in 19 points.
Xyza Gula added 13 with Athena Abbu and Mary Coronado contributing eight and six points, respectively, for UST that suddenly cooled down in the third frame after a sizzling 2-0 start.
