MANILA – University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses battled back from a set down to defeat College of St. Benilde Lady Blazers, 25-16, 19-25, 14-25, 25-22, 15-12, in the V-League Women’s Collegiate Challenge at the Paco Arena in Manila.
Angeline Poyos tallied 22 points, built on 18 attacks, three blocks, and a service ace, to go with 10 excellent digs and six excellent receptions as the Golden Tigresses improved to a 4-0 win-loss slate.
Jonna Perdido chipped in 14 markers, Regina Jurado contributed 11 points, while Negrense setter Cassie Carballo finished with 16 excellent sets to go with three points for UST.
“At least naka-recover kami, ‘yun naman ang sinasabi namin sa players i-control ang dapat i-control, magkaroon ng composure in times na hindi sumasabay samin yung momentum. Na-overcome naman namin,” said UST head coach Emilio Reyes.
After a lopsided defeat in the third set, the Golden Tigresses responded with a huge rampage in the fourth frame behind Poyos, Athena Sophia Abbu, and Perdido to force a fifth set.
In the decider, the Lady Blazers took an early four-point lead, but the Golden Tigresses responded with attacks from Poyos, Abbu, and Jurado to turn things around and take a 9-8 advantage.
UST widened the lead to 12-10 after an Abbu conversion, but CSB made their last push to cut the deficit to 12-13 before the Golden Tigresses wrapped up the win with errors from the Lady Blazers.
“Again, yung maturity in certain situations, at least nakukuha namin, regardless of the result. Importante is kung paano sila nagre-react doon sa mga instructions namin,” Reyes said.
Rhea Densing scored 14 points, while Mary Borromeo added 11 markers for the reigning NCAA women’s volleyball tournament champions Lady Blazers, which dropped to 2-3.
Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws asserted their dominance over the Colegio de San Juan de Letran Lady Knights with a 25-16, 25-22, 25-15 straight set romp. Faida Bakanke led the Lady Tamaraws with 18 points./PN
