Angge Poyos entered the UAAP with a full tank of hope but zero expectations. The initial games were merely a ‘testing the waters’ phase for the young Boholana.
UST coach Kungfu Reyes unleashed her full potential.
Early in the eliminations of the UAAP Season 86 women's volleyball tournament, Poyos led the MVP race alongside fellow rookie Casiey Dongallo of University of the East and National University star Bella Belen.
However, Dongallo’s Lady Warriors didn't make it to the Final Four, leaving Poyos and Belen to compete head-to-head for the league's highest individual honor.
Watching Belen from across the net, Poyos found inspiration.
“'Pag kaharap ko siya sa court, nakikita ko kung paano si ate Bella with her teammates,” Poyos told SPIN.ph about the eventual season MVP. “Para sa akin, isang malaking opportunity and honor na makaharap ko siya and makalaban."
Poyos continued: “Ang dami kong natutunan. 'Yung tapang, consistency, and leadership, ito yung pinakalamalaking takeaways ko mula sa kanya.”
Feeling is mutual
Although they haven’t talked personally, Belen has high praise for Poyos, too, acknowledging her potential.
“Si Poyos, makikita mo na iba 'yung talent niya when it comes to making points, defense. Rookie pa lang siya pero kita mo na yung potential niya,” Belen said. “Pinaka-kinabahan ako sa kanya yung kalaban namin sila nung Round 2, ang galing eh.”
From one Rookie of the Year awardee to another, this season’s experiences have made Poyos hungrier for success, especially after not being at her best during the finals against Belen and NU because of an untimely injury.
“Ngayon, alam ko na ‘yung feeling ng UAAP, pati yung feeling ng Finals. Excited ako for next year, sobra. Hopefully, makapag-finals ulit, and ma-rewrite namin ang history,” Poyos said.
She added: “Alam ko mas ready na ako, mas confident na ako next year.”
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