UNIVERSITY of Sto. Tomas inched closer to a coveted twice-to-beat spot after taking down University of the East, 25-19, 25-9, 25-17, in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Angge Poyos led the way in UST's penultimate prelims match with 25 points built on 21 attacks, three aces and one block as the Tigresses regained a share the league lead with National University at 11-2 (win-loss).
READ: NU dispatches Adamson to keep twice-to-beat chances alive
The Tigresses can secure their Final Four fate in a high-stakes prelims finale with defending champion La Salle in a week's time.
"This game (versus UE), napakita talaga na ang dami pa talaga naming kulang. Sinabi ko sa kanila nung start na trabahuin namin and sama matama namin 'yung mga pagkakamali at na-commit naming errors last game," sad libero-captain Detdet Pepito who converted 13 digs and 11 receptions.
"Masaya ako kasi nakabalik akong 100 percent. Ayun nga, bounce-back win ulit kasi nga marami kaming galaw sa FEU na hindi tama. Binalikan ulit namin at nag-training ulit kami kaya ready na ulit kami ngayon," added Poyos.
In only her rookie year, Poyos etched her name in UAAP women's volleyball history by eclipsing Ateneo great Alyssa Valdez with the highest total scoring output in a single season for a player with at least 240 points and 40 percent spiking efficiency.
The UST ace spiker now has 268 points on roughly 43 percent efficiency, surpassing the Phenom's 243-point output on 41.9 percent spiking back in her final playing year in Season 78.
In what turned out to be a one-sided contest, UST flexed its masterful form in the elimination round by firing 49 attacks, a game-high nine service aces and two blocks. Moreover, Reg Jurado's 11-piece proved vital alongside 17 excellent sets from Cassie Carballo.
KC Cepada (nine points) and rookie ace Casiey Dongallo (seven points) led the Lady Warriors who suffered their 11th defeat of the season.
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