UST high school standouts Lianne Penuliar and Avril Bron are staying with the Golden Tigresses program and have committed to joining the seniors’ team in UAAP Season 88, they confirmed to the Varsitarian.
Both players are set to enroll in the UST College of Tourism and Hospitality Management, with Penuliar planning to take up travel operation and service management and Bron eyeing a degree in hospitality leadership.
Bron and Penuliar were named the first and second Best Middle Blockers, respectively, in the girls’ division in Season 87 after averaging 0.66 and 0.57 blocks per set. Their performances helped the Junior Golden Tigresses secure bronze for the second year in a row.
With Pia Abbu deciding to turn professional, Penuliar and Bron are expected to bolster the Golden Tigresses’ middle blocker rotation, which includes Em Banagua, Bianca Plaza, Blessing Unekwe, Kai Huyno, Mae Coronado and Francine Osis.
Penuliar and Bron said UST’s system and coaching staff were key reasons for their decision to stay.
“Ever since I started representing UST, I’ve gained valuable lessons and numerous opportunities,” Penuliar told the Varsitarian. “One of the main reasons I chose to stay is because of the coaches. I’m very close with them and they (are) like second parents to me, and maraming tao ang nagtitiwala sakin, lalo na ang UST community.”
“Another reason is the system,” she said. “I can really see how dedicated they are in training. Us players are given close attention kasi there’s a specific coach for each position, which I think is a really great thing.”
For Bron, whose sister Agatha plays for the Growling Tigresses, UST’s volleyball program has helped in her personal and athletic development.
“Ang nag-influence po sa’kin na mag stay ay ang family ko kasi sa UST po nila nakita ‘yong improvement and character development ko,” Bron told the Varsitarian. “Malaking tiwala rin po ang binigay ng parents ko sa coaches and UST kasi alam po nila kung paano po ako mapapabuti dito.”
Both players joined UST in 2022 and debuted in Season 86. They also earned Best Middle Blocker honors in the Philippine National Volleyball Federation Champions League, where the Junior Golden Tigresses captured the title.
They were part of the Alas Pilipinas girls’ volleyball team in the 22nd Princess Cup SEA U18 Championship — where Penuliar won Best Middle Blocker — and the 15th Asian Women’s U18 Championship last year.
Bron said she looks forward to learning from the senior team, led by co-captains Reg Jurado and Detdet Pepito, who recently announced she will play her final year in Season 88 alongside returning hitter Jonna Perdido.
“Looking forward po talaga ako na matuto from my ates sa collegiate [level], kasi mas may experience na sila and alam ko na ang dami ko pong makukuhang bagong lessons from them, hindi lang sa paglalaro kundi pati sa personal growth ko rin,” Bron said.
“Iba na talaga pag collegiate level. Excited po akong matuto at mag-grow under their guidance.”
The Golden Tigresses’ core is also expected to remain intact in Season 88, with Detdet Pepito, Angge Poyos, Cassie Carballo and Reg Jurado all set to return, along with the anticipated comebacks of injured key players Jonna Perdido and Xyza Gula. with reports from Bjorn Del B. Deade and Rafael Paolo P. Salaya
