UST seeks to keep unbeaten run going

UNBEATEN University of Santo Tomas (UST) looks to continue its winning ways in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena today.

The UST Golden Tigresses stake their pristine 4-0 record against the Ateneo Blue Eagles (1-3) in their 2 p.m. encounter.

In the other game, the Adamson Lady Falcons (2-2) and the Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws (2-3) collide at 4 p.m.

The Golden Tigresses overcame 0-2 set deficit to pull off a 22-25, 21-25, 25-23, 25-20, 15-7 victory against the Lady Tamaraws on Sunday, March 3.

Angge Poyos starred once more for UST with a career-tying 24 points and drew help from Xyza Gula (13) and Margaret Banagua (15) on the offensive end and Detdet Pepito on the defensive end with 24 receptions and 20 digs.

While the Golden Tigresses continue to growl and look to add the struggling Blue Eagles to the list of their victims, coach Kungfu Reyes wants his players to show no complacency and treat every team with respect.

“The mentality we’re trying to instill to the players is that regardless of the opponent we’re facing, we should always go all out,” said Reyes.

“We fight for every game and every point to give us that chance of winning so our discipline and determination is paramount.”

A win by UST will keep the Golden Tigresses on top with a 5-0 card but a setback will forge a three-way tie on top with National University and La Salle at 4-1.

The Blue Eagles, on the other hand, are coming off a 12-25, 22-25, 19-25 defeat against the defending champs De La Salle Lady Spikers on March 2.

Ateneo coach Sergio Veloso talked more about the mentality that his players need to exercise, which is to play with more focus and aggressiveness.

“When you play with focus, energy, and aggression, it’s good because at the same time you can play with more confidence and you play better, you put pressure on the opponent,” said Veloso.

“If you play afraid, and if you lose [focus] in just one second inside the court, it’s a big mistake because this little time, you can lose a lot of opportunities. If the other side doesn’t play their best, that’s their problem. Our problem is how we play, how we can use these opportunities.”

PHOTO BY RIO DELUVIO Games Today (Mall of Asia Arena) 2 p.m. UST vs Ateneo 4 p.m. Adamson vs FEU LOOKING FOR MORE (From left) Margaret Banagua, Regina Jurado, Cassie Carballo and Angge Poyos will aim to give UST its fifth win in as many games today, March 9, 2024, when it battles Ateneo in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.