SAVE for a stunning stumble in the first set, University of Santo Tomas made sure to stay in-form to start the second round of the UAAP Season 88 women's volleyball tournament.
Following the lead of MVP pacesetter Angge Poyos, the Golden Tigresses clawed their way out of a 0-1 set hole and claimed a four-frame 21-25, 25-11, 25-22, and 25-12 triumph over Ateneo, Saturday inside the Araneta Coliseum.
After allowing the Blue Eagles to run away with Set 1 late, the black-and-gold wasted no time regrouping and turned a 7-2 start in the succeeding frame into a comfortable 25-11 set win.
"Ni-remind yung yung players na ilaro kung ano yung dapat ilaro. Especially sa first set na slow start. Na-miss nila ulit yung bulyaw (ni coach) para magising," answered assistant coach Yani Fernandez when asked about shot-caller Shaq Delos Santos' reminders after they got tripped.
"Nevertheless, nagising naman sila, naging maganda yung response."
Indeed, the momentum would not leave UST's side from there, as it scored its fifth win in the last six matches - its lone loss coming at the hands of resurgent Adamson led by Shaina Nitura.
UST goes up, Ateneo goes down
In the end, Poyos had 25 points under her belt, 22 coming from attacks, on top of 11 receptions and five digs.
"For me, marami pa kaming 'di nalalabas," the MVP frontrunner said, as the 5-3 Golden Tigresses now turn their attention to another showdown with undefeated league-leader La Salle up next.
Reg Jurado backstopped her with 20 markers from six blocks together with an eye-popping 21 digs, as Jonna Perdido chimed in 11 points and Cassie Carballo logged 22 excellent sets.
After a breakthrough win the last time around, Ateneo dropped to 1-7 despite the best efforts of Ana Hermosura who scored 13 points.
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