MANILA – University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses finishes with a bronze medal in the 2023 Shakey’s Super League after a 25-20, 25-21, 17-25, 25-13 win over University of Perpetual Help System Dalta Lady Altas on Saturday at the San Juan Arena.
The Golden Tigresses made it up for a third-set mishap with a relentless showing in the fourth set to sweep the best-of-three battle-for-third place series against the Lady Altas at 2-0.
Incoming rookie Angeline Poyos spearheaded the offense for the youth-laden Golden Tigresses with 26 points, on 16 hits, two blocks and eight aces, while Regine Jurado chipped in 19 points.
Xyza Gula added 13 markers, while Athena Abbu and Mary Coronado contributed eight and six points, respectively, for the Golden Tigresses, which were still reeling from the graduation of Ejiya Laure and Imee Hernandez.
After failing to close the match in the third set, the Golden Tigresses were forced to a tight game by the Lady Altas in the fourth frame with the latter holding a slim 11-10 advantage.
The Golden Tigresses, however, broke the gates wide open with a 14-3 scoring blast midway in the fourth set behind the tandem of Poyos and Jurado to finish off the Lady Altas.
Golden Tigresses head coach Emilio “Kung Fu” Reyes said he was delighted with UST’s podium finish, which is the school’s first since 2019 when they finished runner-up to Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles in the UAAP Season 81.
“Finally, nagkaroon din kami ng medal,” Reyes said in a post-game interview. “New faces, new chapter for us. We’re a very young team pero may spice ng konti. Parang siling labuyo lang.”
In bagging the bronze medal, UST won five of its six matches with its lone scar coming against UAAP Season 85 champions De La Salle University Lady Spikers in five sets in the semifinals round.
NCAA MVP Mary Rhose Dapol was the lone bright spot with 25 points, while Razel Aldea and Shaila Omipon added nine points apiece as the Lady Altas settled for a fourth place finish./PN
