The UST Junior Golden Tigresses extended their losing streak to three after bowing down to the unbeaten Nazareth of National University Lady Bullpups, 25-19, 25-12, 25-18, in the UAAP Season 85 high school girls’ volleyball tournament at the Paco Arena on Monday.
The Lady Bullpups made quick work of UST in the final frame, Junior Golden Tigress Jaila Adrao made a giveaway after committing a service error letting NU complete its sweep, 18-25.
UST head coach Emilio “Kung Fu” Reyes said the team struggled to handle the high-pressured match, especially the rookies.
“Pagdating dito siguro ‘yung pressure [ng] game. Halos lahat naman sa UAAP Juniors first-timer lang. Iisa nalang yung mainstay natin dito. Wala pa yung sa sistema, hindi pa nila makuha ‘yung gusto nating mangyari,” Reyes told the Varsitarian.
“The rest is yung fighting character, siguro kailangan pa namin i-work out. Kasi yung skills naman namin andoon na kaya ‘di lang nagmamanifest during UAAP games,” he added.
The Lady Bullpups made quick work to UST in the second set and led by as much as 10, 15-5, NSNU’s Yesha Noceja secured the set win with a tip-in, 25-12.
UST unleashed a quick 4-3 spurt to keep within five, 24-19 but Elijah Lozada’s service error ultimately gave NSNU the one-set advantage.
Adrao paced UST with eight points, while Angeline Poyos contributed six points.
Lady Bullpup Kianne Olango scored 10 points.
The Junior Golden Tigresses dropped to a 1-3 win-loss slate and tied with De La Salle-Zobel at fourth place.
The UST Junior Golden Tigresses will next face the University of the Philippines Integrated School on Feb. 21, 11 a.m., at the same venue.
