University of Santo Tomas roared back from two sets down to beat University of the East, 23-25, 23-25, 25-14, 25-17, 15-9, and stay unbeaten in Pool B of the 2024 Shakey’s Super League Collegiate Pre-Season Championship at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
Angge Poyos took over in the fifth set, banging in crucial hits as the Growling Tigresses overcame a big scare to complete a four-game sweep of the opening pool stage and build momentum heading into the next round.
Poyos completes job
The sophomore winger scored eight of her game-high 28 points in the deciding frame including the match-clinching spike from the left corner to finish off the erstwhile undefeated Lady Warriors in the thrilling two-hour, 27-minute match of the tournament backed by Shakey’s Pizza Parlor, GCash, Chery Tiggo, F2 Logistics, Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, Potato Corner, R and B Milk Tea and Summit Water.
“Nag-stick lang kami sa sistema and nakinig lang kami sa instructions ng mga coaches and ‘yung communication and enjoyment ibinalik lang namin nu’ng third, fourth and fifth set. Talaganng malaking factor dinyun kung bakit namin nakuha ang panalo,” said Poyos, who smashed in 25 attacks and three kill blocks.
Regina Jurado added 15 points while Jonna Perdido finished with 14 markers for UST, which halted UE’s three-game romp.
Jelai Gajero and Casiey Dongallo paced UE with 14 points each and a combined 27 kills while KC Cepada had 11 markers.
The Tigresses will battle Far Eastern University and the second ranked teams in Pool A and C in another round-robin play for one of the two twice-to-beat quarterfinals advantages at stake. The Lady Warriors, on the other hand, will play De La Salle University, the top seed in Pool A and second seed in Pool D in the next round.
Meanwhile, three-peat-seeking National University crushed also-ran San Beda University, 25-19, 25-7, 25-17, for a 3-0 card in Pool A.
Myrtle Escanlar uncorked 13 points off 11 attacks, one kill block and an ace while reigning tournament Most Valuable Player Alyssa Solomon added 12 markers for the Lady Bulldogs’ dominating win in the competition supported by Smart Sports, PLDT Fibr, Mikasa, Asics, Rebel Sports, Eurotel, Victory Liner, Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), SM Tickets as technical partners.
Angel Habacon had 11 points built on nine kills and two aces for the Lady Red Spikers, who closed their campaign with a 1-3 mark.
Action resumes Wednesday with Lyceum of the Philippines University (1-2) facing University of Perpetual Help System Dalta (0-2) at 1 p.m. in Pool B. Ateneo de Manila University (2-1) takes on Emilio Aguinaldo College (0-3) at 3:30 p.m. in Pool B while the Pool D battle between Adamson University (1-1) and College of Saint Benilde (0-1) is set at 6 p.m.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
