UNIVERSITY of Sto. Tomas reached the 10-win mark for the third time in the last four seasons with a 25-14, 25-13, 28-30, 25-15 win over also-ran University of the Philippines in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
In the absence of leading scorer and rookie star Angge Poyos, Jonna Perdido took over on offense for the Tigresses with a career-best 24 points on 22 attacks, one block and one ace as UST reclaimed the league lead at 10-1 (win-loss).
READ: Canino 'making progress' in recovery from arm injury, says coach
The cellar-dwelling Fighting Maroons slid to a 1-10 card with deputy coach Jarod Hubalde taking over for Oliver Almadro, who made a winning coaching debut for Letran in the NCAA Season 99 women’s volleyball tournament against Arellano.
"I think 'yun ang pinaka-importante na we still have the 12 strong ladies na part ng team. That’s why team kami. Sabi nga, sumusuporta ang bawat isa pero hindi kami umaasa sa iisang tao. That’s the beauty of it ng team na ready mag-respond whatever the task na pwede ibigay," said UST head coach Kungfu Reyes.
Joining forces with Perdido on offense in her career scoring game was her fellow outside hitter Reg Jurado, who also had 24 points on 21 attacks and three blocks.
The Tigresses' usual protagonists rose to the occasion in their tenth victory as Cassie Carballo converted 19 excellent sets and libero-captain Detdet Pepito posting 28 digs and nine receptions.
What was shaping up to be a one-sided contest took a sharp turn in the third set as the Fighting Maroons, led by Niña Ytang's team-best 14 markers, had six prior set points at their disposal before holding fort in an extended 30-28 finish.
From there, 68 total attacks in which Perdido and Jurado had the lion's share of proved too much for the comeback-seeking UP side which resulted to their tenth defeat.
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.
