BY Andrei Barrantes
WHEN it comes to rivalries in the UAAP, very few can keep up with the intensity and significance of UST-La Salle in women's volleyball.
Regardless of their place in the standings, seats are always filled when Kungfu Reyes’ Golden Tigresses line up against the Ramil de Jesus-led Lady Spikers.
READ: UST's leg up over La Salle in recent history? Pride, says captain Detdet
Aside from having two of the longest-tenured head coaches in the league, the two teams also feature two shining stars in the outside hitter position in Angge Poyos and Angel Canino.
Canino was the MVP-and-Rookie of the Year in Season 85 when La Salle also won it all, while Poyos was the top neophyte in Season 86 when UST barged back into the finals.
Despite Canino edging out her black-and-gold counterpart in total achievements, however, the 21-year-old spiker still lacks one rare accolade - a triumph over Poyos.
In their last four meetings on the collegiate stage, the Lady Spikers consistently got the short end of the stick, including the Season 86 Final Four, where the Golden Tigresses shot the crown off the top of their heads and sent them home.
Statistically, Poyos does Canino better in their head-to-head match-ups as well, with the Espana weapon averaging 25 points against La Salle, as Canino norms 20 in the face of the UST defense.
Their most recent meeting saw Poyos and the Golden Tigresses come out on top once more, with her 28 points and three blocks highlighting their five-set comeback on Wednesday.
READ: Poyos comes through as UST tops La Salle in another five-set classic
Of course, Poyos has to bring her best whenever she gets to stand opposite one of the UAAP's best.
“Masaya kasi naipapakita namin yung skills namin. Grateful din ako na nakakaharap ko si ate Angel. Since Season 86 pa lang, isa din siya sa mga nilu-look up ko na makalaban kasi mas exciting 'pag ganung klaseng mga players (ang nakakalaban)," she said.
Still a student of the game
Nonetheless, the sophomore spiker keeps tipping her hat to Canino, even though the former has ruled over the latter thus far in their face-offs.
As she elaborated, she admires the bravery and leadership of the Lady Spikers skipper - something she hopes to imbibe as well.
“Siyempre si ate Angel, malaki yung respeto ko din sa kanya na nagde-deliver din. And kaya niya dalhin yung team niya in terms of leadership, hindi lang sa skills,” she added.
As of now, Poyos has Canino's number - just like UST continues to come out on top of La Salle.
Without a doubt, though, Canino and the Lady Spikers will keep coming for Poyos and the Golden Tigresses.
And we're all here for it.
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