Abbu steps up in UST triumph over Ateneo

c/o UAAP Media Team

UAAP Season 87 Women’s Volleyball Standings

NU 5-0
UST 5-1
FEU 4-2
DLSU 3-2  
AdU 2-3
UP 2-4
Ateneo 1-4
UE 0-6

Games on Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena

9 a.m. - NU vs Adamson (Men)
11 a.m. - Ateneo vs La Salle (Men)
1 p.m. - NU vs Adamson (Women)
3 p.m. - Ateneo vs La Salle (Women)

University of Santo Tomas came to its senses after a lethargic start to sweep Ateneo de Manila University, 25-20, 25-23, 25-21, to stretch its winning run in the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Volleyball Tournament at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday.

The Golden Tigresses sustained their remarkable rise from a season opening loss to Far Eastern University to raise their record to 5-1 at solo second, just behind last year’s Finals tormentor National University Lady Bulldogs.

UST and NU will clash in a rematch of the Season 86 Finals next Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“Thankful kami first time namin maka straight set. Ipa-polish pa namin ‘yung mga skills kasi nagkakaroon ng doubt saka confusion sa game namin especially sa receiving formation namin kaya kailangan naming itama at… kailangan committed sila sa lahat ng gagawin nila,” said Golden Tigresses assistant coach Yani Fernandez after the one-hour, 34-minute match.

Ateneo raced to a 10-4 blistering start to open the game but UST responded after a timeout by head coach Kungfu Reyes.

Through Angge Poyos, Regina Jurado, and Pia Abbu, the Golden Tigresses rallied for a 21-10 finisher to take the first frame, 25-20.

Then UST just held sway the rest of the way with Poyos’ 19 points at the forefront with Jurado also contributing 14 points on 12 attacks and two blocks.

“All thanks po sa coaches namin na grabe po ‘yung tiyaga sa amin sa training and tinututukan po kami individually and per department po sa skills. Sa kanila po talaga ang puri sa performance namin ngayon,” said Abbu, which delivered a career-best 13 points on eight spikes and a team-high five blocks.

The Blue Eagles, who already lost to wing spikers Jlo Delos Santos and Geezel Tsunashima to season-ending injuries, got another hit with outside hitter Sobe Buena going down in the first set with an apparent right leg injury. She landed badly after a spike attempt and was stretchered off the court.

Ateneo dropped to 1-4 at seventh place.

AC Miner paced the Blue Eagles with 13 points, while Lyann de Guzman produced 11 points, five receptions, and four digs.

Ateneo looks to return to its winning ways on Wednesday against De La Salle University at the same venue.