THE UST Golden Tigresses are one win away from sweeping the first round of the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament, but they must overcome an extra hurdle with the ongoing prelims week.
Preliminary exams are scheduled from March 13 to 16 (Wednesday to Saturday). The Tigresses have two games this week: they defeated the UP Fighting Maroons on Wednesday, improving to 6-0, and they are scheduled to play against Adamson University on Saturday.
According to the Tigresses, the prelims week adds pressure and presents additional challenges as they prepare to face Adamson, a match that could secure their sweep of the first round.
Super rookie Angeline Poyos told the Varsitarian that managing time becomes more challenging during prelims week.
“Struggle po talaga sa’min ang pag-manage ng time,” Poyos said. “Kasi hindi naman po puwedeng pabayaan ‘yong studies. We need to maintain our grades, so that adds challenge po talaga on our part as student-athletes.”
UST setter Cassie Carballo said the Tigresses are not at 100 percent due to the additional burden of prelims week.
“Iyong training and preparation namin are still the same,” Carballo said. “Same intensity pa rin, same ‘yong load. Pero, medyo challenging lang siya these past few days dahil hindi 100% ‘yong body namin dahil kulang sa pahinga.”
“We’ve had more challenges these past few days kasi prelims week namin. Majority sa’min, nagpupuyat para ma-complete lang ‘yong school works, mag-aral for the exams and maka-catch up sa school, especially ‘yong missed quizzes and activities namin dahil sa games.”
Outside hitter Jonna Perdido emphasized that in order to carry UST’s momentum into the second round, the team must avoid becoming complacent.
“Masaya kami kasi ito ‘yong standing namin ngayon, pero hindi dapat kami makampante magtatrabaho at magsisipag pa kami sa training.”
UST will aim to complete a first-round sweep as they take on Adamson University on Saturday, 4 p.m., at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
