UNIVERSITY of Sto. Tomas captured the bronze medal in the 2023 Shakey's Super League National Invitationals, sweeping Perpetual Help, 25-20, 25-21, 17-25, 25-13, on Saturday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
Rookie Angeline Poyos led the Tigresses with 26 points on 16 attacks, eight aces and two blocks.
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This marks the Tigresses' first SSL podium finish after finishing fourth in the inaugural collegiate pre-season tournament in 2022.
UST looked to replicate the sweep of the opening match in the best-of-three series but the Lady Altas, led by NCAA Season 98 MVP Mary Rhose Dapol, fired six unanswered points to force a fourth set extension.
But Kungfu Reyes' wards were able to deal the finishing blow in the fourth.
Incoming senior Reg Jurado had 19 markers on 15 attacks and four aces to help UST secure its maiden SSL podium finish.
"After two, three years, nagkaroon na ulit kami ng medal. New faces, new chapter para sa team. Very young team pero spicy nang konti — parang siling labuyo," UST coach Kungfu Reyes said.
Dapol had 25 points for Perpetual Help, the lone NCAA side in the SSL top four.
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