MANILA, Philippines — University of Santo Tomas turned to the 1-2 punch of Reg Jurado and Angge Poyos to overcome the gritty University of the East, 26-28, 25-22, 25-23, 25-15, in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament on Saturday at FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
The Lady Warriors, who had an exodus of players ahead of the season, continued to show a gallant stand, pushing the Tigresses to their limits with the first three sets all ending up with a two-point win.
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Jurado stepped up with 22 points including the clutch hits in each set, while Poyos, last season’s top rookie, backstopped their opposite spiker with 21 points off 14 kills, four blocks, and three aces to improve to a 1-1 record bouncing back from a four-set loss to Far Eastern University in last week’s opener.
“Pinaghirapan talaga namin this past week ‘yung ipagpabuti namin ‘yung mga lapses namin individually para mapunan namin together as a team,” said Jurado, who had 18 kills, two aces, and two blocks on top of eight digs.
“Ni-remind din namin sa sarili namin na importante ‘yung one game at a time and thankfully, nairaos din namin ‘yung game na ‘to. Also, aside doon, siguro ‘yung paging composed. Lalo na minsan napapansin din na nawawala ‘yung enjoyment.”
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UST blew a 23-18 in the third set as UE setter Tin Ecalla nailed an ace to cut it down to 23-22. Jurado stopped the bleeding to reach set point, 24-22, but Bea Zamudio cut it down to one anew. Poyos soared and drilled a cross-court hit to give the Tigresses a 2-1 advantage.
Last year’s silver medalist dominated the fourth set with a blazing 10-3 start but UE trimmed it down to one after Khy Cepada’s attack. UST caught fire with the timely hits of rookie Marga Altea to stretch it to a 22-14 lead off Poyos’ two consecutive kills and never looked back.
“A win is a win naman. Nakita din namin yung mga lapsesso, we will work na matanggal yung lapses na yun. Again, yung communication, tsaka yung connection kaagad. Yun yung naging problema namin nung natalo kami sa FEU,” said UST deputy coach Yani Fernandez, speaking for KungFu Reyes as they face La Salle on Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena.
Rookie Marga Altea stepped up after Kyla Cordora sprained her left ankle at the end of the second set, chipping in 10 points including three blocks. Pia Abbu had eight points, while Blessing Unekwe added six points in two sets played.
Cassie Carballo had 19 excellent sets, while captain Detdet Pepito protected the floor with 16 digs and 14 excellent receptions for the Tigresses, who lost Jonna Perdido and Xyza Gula due to injuries in the preseason.
UE was on the verge of winning the first set with a 24-20 lead but UST turned to Poyos’ back-to-back kills followed by an attack error of Cepada to tie the frame.
The Lady Warriors regained the set point advantage after Jurado’s service went out but Poyos nailed a kill and an ace to take a 26-25 cushion. Cepada tied the set anew at 26 but Kesha Famulagan committed a crucial service error. Abbu sealed their first-set comeback with a big block.
UE tied the game to one set apiece after Cepada scored two consecutive points for a 24-22 lead. The play was halted mid rally after Cordora tweaked her left ankle. Tin Ecalla won the set by blocking Unekwe.
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Cepada lifted the Lady Warriors with 20 points built on 16 kills and four aces only to drop to a 0-2 record. Van Bangayan delivered 12 points, while Bea Zamudio had 11 points on top of eight digs and six receptions.
UE seeks to bounce back against Adamson also on Wednesday.