UST rookie Angeline Poyos led the Golden Tigresses to a bronze-medal-clinching victory over the University of Perpetual Help Lady Altas, 25-20, 25-21,17-25, 25-13, in the Shakey’s Super League National Invitationals at the FilOil EcoOil Centre on Saturday, Aug. 12.
Poyos erupted for 26 points built on 16 attacks, eight aces, and two blocks.
Up by one in the fourth frame, 11-10, the Tigresses pulled off a 14-3 run to bury the Lady Altas for UST’s first women’s indoor volleyball podium finish since 2019.
With UST bolstering a two-sets-to-none lead, the Lady Altas broke the deadlock at 15-all and sealed the third set with a 10-2 blitz, 25-17.
A costly Mary Dapol attack error allowed UST to take the second frame, 25-21.
Poyos sent UST to set point with a through-the-block kill before a Shaila Omipon attack error gave the Tigresses the first-set advantage, 25-20.
Sophomores Regina Jurado and Xyza Gula scored 19 and 13 markers, respectively.
“Grateful lang na finally, naka-podium finish din and napakita namin ‘yong kakayahan namin,” Jurado said postgame.
Dapol paced the Lady Altas anew with 25 points. She was the lone Perpetual player in double digits.
UST head coach Emilio “Kung Fu” Reyes said postgame that the young Tigresses used the pre-season league to hone their skills.
The Tigresses will head into UAAP Season 86 with a notably younger roster, as the team will be without key Season 85 players in Eya Laure, Imee Hernandez, Milena Alessandrini, Maji Mangulabnan, and Janna Torres.
“Siningit lang namin talaga ‘yung SSL pero since nandoon naman ‘yung skills, kinundisyon lang namin ‘yung mga bata,” Reyes said. Emmanuel John B. Abris
