UST Golden Tigresses in a game against La Salle Lady Spikers in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Angge Poyos displayed her resilience and power while Reg Jurado showcased her speed and veteran smarts to lead the University of Santo Tomas’ amazing comeback against La Salle in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament.
Poyos and Jurado continued to stabilize UST’s offense, willing their team back from a 1-2 deficit to assert their mastery of La Salle in a five-set thriller, 25-12, 22-25, 13-25, 25-23, 15-13, on Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena.
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Last year’s top rookie Poyos remain the thorn in the side of the Lady Spikers, winning her fourth straight game against the powerhouse program with another master class performance of 28 points and 16 digs.
READ: UAAP: UST got its ‘grit’ back, says Pepito after repeat vs La Sale
“In this game, we just showed who we really are. Our composure and communication were the key for us,” said Poyos in Filipino. “I kept reminding my teammates to stay composed and hold on because it was the fifth set, so we needed to give our best,” she added.
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Jurado, for her part, was stricken by the flu but that didn’t stop her from unleashing 17 points including the impressive drops and cut shots that caught the Lady Spikers off guard.
“That’s what the coaches always remind me of—that I rely more on speed than strength when attacking. I tried to focus more on that,” Jurado said.
READ: UAAP: Cassie Carballo finds rhythm as UST mounts a streak
“I’m glad we bounced back from the sets we lost. We really played our hearts out in that fifth set.”
UST Golden Tigresses’ Reg Jurado and Cassie Carballo. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
UST assistant coach Yani Fernandez lauded Jurado for still playing at a high level despite being under the weather and missing last Monday’s practice.
“She was like Michael Jordan. She had a flu game. Good thing we won and hopefully, our players will be able to recover and have proper rest before another fight on Saturday,” he said.
Poyos admitted they had a hard time getting their groove after getting blown out in the third by 12 points.
Thanks to setter Cassie Carballo, the Tigresses got their act together.
“I have so much trust in Ate Cassie because she’s the one setting the ball. As a spiker, I know I need to adjust to whatever set she gives and whatever adjustments the opponents make,” Poyos said.
Poyos battles Adamson’s super rookie Shaina Nitura on Saturday as the Tigresses to bag their third straight win after rising to a 2-1 record.
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“Shai and I faced each other back in high school in the UAAP, so I really expected her to be great and have a lot of variations in her attacks [here in college]. So, expect a good match this Saturday between our team and Adamson,” she said.
