MANILA – University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses clawed back from two sets down to defeat Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws, 22-25, 21-25, 25-23, 25-20, 15-7, in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball on Sunday night at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Xyza Gula stood tall for the Golden Tigresses with 13 points, including back-to-back conversions late in the fifth set to complete their come-from-behind win and stayed on top with an immaculate 4-0 win-loss slate.
After dropping the first two sets due to numerous unforced errors, the Golden Tigresses stayed alive with a tight 25-23 third set victory before gaining confidence to pull off a 25-20 fourth set triumph.
The Golden Tigresses surged to a 4-1 start in the fifth set behind service aces by Negrense Cassie Carballo and Gula and an attack and a block from seldomly-used middle Mae Coronado.
UST’s lead went up to 10-3 behind back-to-back hits by Poyos and connections from Angeline Poyos, Coronado, and Regine Jurado. FEU made their last push at 7-13, but back-to-back hits from Gula completed the win for the Golden Tigresses.
Poyos led the way for the Golden Tigresses with 24 points, including 21 attacks, Margaret Banagua contributed 15 points, Jurado and Jonna Perdido chipped in 13 and 10 markers, respectively, and Coronado ended with eight points.
“Medyo mabigat ‘yung bakbakan. Ever since naman hindi nawawala ‘yung old rivalry ng UST at FEU kaya pinaghandaan namin itong laban na ito,” Golden Tigresses head coach Emilio “Kung Fu” Reyes said in a post-game interview.
“I respect dun sa team ng FEU, ‘yun na nga in-expect namin ‘yung ganitong bakbakan, and, luckily, nakabalik kami sa sistema na meron kami at pinanghawakan naman ng mga players na kahit na hirap na hirap nung first two sets hinananap nila ‘yung rhythm nila,” he added.
Chenie Tagaod and Jean Asis spearheaded the offense for the Lady Tamaraws with 15 points apiece, while Faida Bakanke contributed 11 markers. They dropped to a 2-2 win-loss slate.
Meanwhile, Adamson University Lady Falcons (2-2) got a huge 20-point outing from debuting Barbie Jamili as they defeated University of the East Lady Warriors (1-3), 25-19, 25-19, 26-28, 29-27./PN
