By NIKOLE JAVIER
University of Santo Tomas continued its amazing winning streak, this time claiming the scalp of the surprisingly stubborn University of the Philippines, 25-22, 25-20, 26-24, for its sixth consecutive victory in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament on Wednesday, March 13, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The Golden Tigresses moved a win away from completing a rare sweep in the early eliminations as they stayed the only undefeated side in the 8-team tournament.
It was a double celebration for the UST as its men’s side snapped its three-game skid with a 25-23, 25-14, 25-16 win over University of the Philippines.
The Golden Spikers, who won their first two matches before losing to La Salle, Far Eastern University, and Ateneo, respectively, improved their record to 3-3 after the skid-busting victory.
While the Golden Tigresses continued to bedazzle the opposition, the Fighting Maroons remained winless in six games as their losing streak was stretched to 17 games dating back to last season’s one-win campaign.
Rookie Angge Poyos, who recently delivered a career-best performance 26 points in UST’s straight-set win over Ateneo, unloaded another game-high 22 points built on 18 attacks and four aces as she stays consistent with no output under 22 markers yet since her UAAP debut and consequently lifting the Golden Tigresses to the top.
Xyza Gula and Regina Jurado had their share of brilliance with 14 and 12 points, respectively, in just three sets.
With the 6-0 record, it is UST’s best start in the tournament since Season 73 back when Aiza Maizo and Rhea Dimaculangan were the team’s 1-2 punch.
“Hindi naman namin talaga nakikita na ito ‘yung best run. Pero para sa akin so far sa stint ko rito sa UAAP, talagang pinaka best na start namin. Kasi nga nu’ng nag-start [ako as the head coach], talagang 0-2, 0-3. Pag nag-end kami ng first round minsan 3-4 or 4-3 ‘yung record,” UST head coach KungFu Reyes said.
“Siguro sa proseso na ginagawa namin high school pa lang ‘yung mga players [na-ttrain na sila agad]. Tumataas ‘yung levels ng skills. Sa amin, ito nga ‘yung best start since Season 73. Malaking morale booster. Kasi kung ano ‘yung pinaghihirapan ng mga bata talagang paying off. Hindi kami tumitigil kasi nga ang haba pa ng liga,” he added.
The Golden Tigresses are seeking to keep the solo lead when they take on the Adamson Lady Falcons to wrap up their first round campaign on Saturday, March 16.
Although the State U managed to consistently keep the match tightly contested in each set, UST proved to be more determined.
In the third set, both squads traded powerful attacks before Poyos and Jurado stepped in with back-to-back hits to end the extended set and sealed the win for the Golden Tigresses.
Steph Bustrillo paced UP anew with 14 points as she was all alone in the offensive effort.
