UST claims solo third in Women's Volleyball

c/o UAAP Media Team

Games Sunday at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum

9 a.m. - FEU vs UP (Men)
11 a.m. - NU vs AdU (Men)
1 p.m. - FEU vs UP (Women)
3 p.m. - NU vs AdU (Women)

University of Santo Tomas rose to solo third in the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Volleyball Tournament after a sweeping Ateneo de Manila University, 25-15, 26-24, 26-24, on Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Golden Tigresses broke their tie with the idle Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws, raising their record to 7-4 for solo hold of the third spot with second-running De La Salle Lady Spikers within reach at just 7-3.

This victory marked UST’s second straight-sets win in the tournament, with the first also coming against Ateneo, a 25-20, 25-23, 25-21 decision in the first round, as it was able to survive close second and third sets.

“Well, happy kami na na-sustain namin yung ganoong situation. So, yung maturity, judgment ng mga player is at least every game na nagta-translate kung ano yung gusto nilang mangyari towards the endgame,” said UST head coach Kungfu Reyes.

("Well, we're happy that we were able to sustain that kind of situation. So, the maturity and judgment of the players are at least translating into every game, showing what they want to happen towards the endgame.")

The Blue Eagles were on the verge of tying the game at one set apiece in the second, 24-22, but the Golden Tigresses stirred a comeback and it started with a service error of Alex Montoro.

Then the 6-footer Marga Altea, now converted back to middle blocker, scored back-to-back hits, before Angge Poyos completed the comeback with a crosscourt spike, 26-24, for UST.

In the third, it was Ateneo who tried to turn the tides late but to no avail.

AC Miner and Zey Pacia came up clutch with two straight points to extend the third at 24 all but Poyos gave the Golden Tigresses back the lead and the match point with a crosscourt bullet.

Cassie Carballo then finished the job with a solid block on Montoro for the UST win in one hour and 36 minutes.

“Siyempre masaya po kasi pinagte-training-an ko rin naman po ‘to. Lumalabas lang po yung mga efforts ko po sa laro,” said Altea, who had 10 points on seven attacks and three blocks.

("Of course, I'm happy because I've been training for this. My efforts are showing in the game.")

Poyos top-scored for UST with 16 points while Regina Jurado chimed in 10 points and eight digs.

Maribeth Hilongo also did well with eight points and 11 receptions, while Pia Abbu had five points, the same output Carballo got along with 17 excellent sets.

UST, winner of two straight games, will next face winless University of the East next Saturday still at the Big Dome.

Ateneo fell to 4-7, receiving its second straight loss, but can still catch the Final Four with three games left.

Miner paced the Blue Eagles with 13 points while Lyann De Guzman chalked up 12 points and seven receptions.

Ateneo looks to snap out of its skid on Wednesday when it faces FEU at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.