THE UST Golden Tigresses overpowered the UE Lady Warriors, 25-14, 25-19, 24-26, 25-19, in the 2024 V-League Women’s Collegiate Challenge at the Paco Arena on Sunday, Aug. 4.
UST now sits alone at the top of the standings with a 2-0 record, while UE dropped to 1-1.
Regina Jurado and rookie Bien Arasan paced the Tigresses with 12 points apiece.
“Exciting match. Good exposure para sa mga rookie. It’s just a bad game para kina Angge (Angeline Poyos) and Jonna (Perdido),” UST head coach Emilio “Kung Fu” Reyes told the Varsitarian. “Mabuti naman nag-deliver ‘yong mga tao natin that’s why nanalo tayo.”
Poyos and Perdido were limited to nine and eight points, respectively.
With UST up by one in the opening canto, 8-7, the Tigresses pulled away with a 17-7 run capped by an off-the-block kill from Poyos to draw first blood.
A 7-0 run in the second set sent UST up with a 12-5 lead, a gap it was able to maintain until the end of the set to secure a 2-0 advantage, 25-19.
The Tigresses were already at match point in the third salvo, 24-22, but the Lady Warriors stayed alive and snatched the set with a 4-0 run highlighted by three points, including back-to-back kills, from KC Cepada to extend the match.
UE kept its momentum midway through the fourth set, 17-16. However, the Tigresses pummeled UE and went on a game-sealing 9-2 run ignited by three consecutive block points from Marga Banagua.
UST banked on 11 blocks and 10 aces against UE’s two blocks and five aces. The Tigresses had fewer errors with 24, compared to UE’s 28.
“Iyong dynamic ng galawan ng mga bata sa depensa, mas nagko-complement doon sa counterattack natin, so that’s why nakaka-recover tayo from long rallies,” Reyes said. “Taas baba lang naman din ‘yong ginagalaw nila. For that, ‘yong consistency and coming from a lost point, nakaka-recover tayo at nati-trim down ‘yong errors kahit papano.”
Cepada paced the Lady Warriors with 17 markers, while Jenalyn Umayam chipped in 13 points.
Mary Ecalla, who previously played for UST in UAAP Seasons 84 and 85, scored two points for the Lady Warriors. She will join UE in the upcoming UAAP season after serving her one-year residency in Season 86.
The Tigresses will next face the FEU Lady Tamaraws at the same venue on Sunday, Aug. 11, at 12 p.m. R.P.P. Salaya
