MANILA – University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses cruised to a 25-19, 25-16, 25-15 victory over the University of the East Lady Warriors in the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Volleyball Tournament on Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Angeline Poyos top-scored with 12 points, all coming from attacks, to go with five excellent digs and three excellent receptions as the Golden Tigresses improved to an 8-4 win-loss slate.
Regina Jurado added 10 markers, Kyla Cordora contributed eight markers, while Margaret Banagua and Marga Altea contributed seven points apiece for the Golden Tigresses.
“First, syempre yung respeto sa team ng UE nandoon naman kaya pinaghandaan talaga namin,” Golden Tigresses head coach Emilio “Kung Fu” Reyes said after the game.
“Ang maganda rito, nabigyan namin ng exposure yung ibang players namin at nakapag-deliver naman. Hopefully, magamit nila itong game na ito para sa next games namin,” he added.
Nessa Bangayan finished with six points, while Riza Nogales added five markers, while Khy Cepada and Kayce Balingit ended with four apiece as the Lady Warriors remained winless in 13 games.
Meanwhile, Shaina Nitura achieved a personal milestone as the also-ran Adamson University Lady Falcons stunned Far Eastern University Tamaraws, 14-25, 29-27, 25-22, 25-22.
Nitura finished with 37 points, built on 31 attacks, five blocks, and a service ace, along with 13 excellent digs and 12 excellent receptions, as the Lady Falcons improved to a 5-7 win-loss slate.
With her performance, Nitura’s season total has now reached 314 points, surpassing the previous single-season scoring record of 312 set by Alyssa Valdez of the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles during Season 77.
“Lahat ng patience namin nung mga talo namin nung first round, nasusuklian na,” Nitura said in a post-game interview. “Sobrang thankful and grateful kami kasi laking tulong nito para sa next season namin.”/PN
