Tigresses edge Eagles for solo third

University of Santo Tomas asserted its dominance on Ateneo with a25-15, 26-24, 26-24, to clinch the solo third spot in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Saturday, April 5. University of Santo Tomas asserted its dominance on Ateneo with a 25-15, 26-24, 26-24, to clinch the solo third spot in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Saturday, April 5. Fresh from a pulsating five-set triumph over the Adamson Lady Falcons, the Golden Tigresses kept the momentum going particularly in the second and third sets with Angge Poyos, Reg Jurado and Cassie Carballo delivering the goods.

Poyos took the spotlight and fired 16 points off 15 attacks and one ace, while Jurado and Marga Altea provided ample support with 10 points apiece. Carballo, for her part, tallied 14 excellent sets on top of five points. It was the second straight victory for UST as it improved its card to 7-4, duplicating its 25-20, 25-23, 25-21 first-round win over Ateneo last March 9.



It also put them one game ahead of fourth-running Far Eastern University. “It was a great win, I’m happy na nag-respond yung mga bata and hopefully magtuluy-tuloy,” said UST head coach Kungfu Reyes. AC Miner had 13 points while Lyann De Guzman posted 12 points in a futile attempt for Ateneo, which dropped its second straight game to stumble at 4-7 at sixth.

In men’s action, UST mauled Ateneo, 26-24, 25-17, 25-22, for its third straight win. Two-time MVP Josh Ybañez starred anew with 24 points off 20 attacks, one block and three aces for the Gold Spikers, who hiked their tally to 7-4 for third place. Ed Colinares and Jay De La Noche also shone with 13 and nine points, respectively, while Dux Yambao had 21 excellent sets.

The victory was also a redemption of sports for the España-based squad after absorbing a 20-25, 22-25, 25-22, 21-25 defeat to the Blue Eagles in their first meeting. Ken Batas pumped in 20 points on 19 attacks and one block while Amil Pacinio Jr. posted nine points in a losing effort as Ateneo absorbed its second straight defeat for 6-5 at fifth.

In the other game, La Salle overcame a close opening set and downed UE, 30-28, 25-16, 25-22, to tie with UST with a similar 7-4 card. UE, meanwhile, plummeted to its 11th straight defeat in as many games..