Golden Tigresses seek first round sweep

UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas (UST) seeks to complete a first round sweep in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum today, March 16.

Leading the league with an immaculate 6-0 record, the Golden Tigresses face the Adamson Lady Falcons (2-4) at 4 p.m.

Last year’s finalist National University (5-1) and reigning champion De La Salle University, meanwhile, collide in the other women’s match at 2 p.m.

UST swept University of the Philippines 25-22, 25-20, 26-24 last Wednesday to go 6-0 and matched its Season 73 start back in 2011.

A win over the Falcons would give the Tigresses their first 7-0 first round sweep in the Final Four era.

UST also swept the first round during the 2006-2007 season albeit it was only 6-0 since there were only seven teams at that time after La Salle was suspended by the league.

As the Golden Tigresses try to remain unbeaten in the ongoing tournament, coach Kungfu Reyes wants his players to keep on pushing as he also looks to manage his players’ health.

“I always remind them to keep pushing because we still have so many adjustments to make. We will just continually follow the system and polish the skills of the players everyday,” said Reyes.

“We’re really having skills training to polish our skills and we’re also taking care of their health. They can’t get sick and be injured.”

Rookie Angge Poyos racked up 22 points for UST last Wednesday and she looks to continue to lead the way alongside other potent scorers Xyza Gula, Regina Jurado and Jonna Perdido.

Meanwhile, Adamson suffered its second straight defeat after yielding to the Ateneo Blue Eagles on Wednesday 19-25, 19-25, 22-25, 25-23.

The loss may have been a tough one but the Lady Falcons can take solace in the fact that they fought hard and rallied to win the third set even after they were down at 12-20.

Lucille Almonte, Ishie Lalongisip, and Mayang Nuique scored 11 points apiece in that game and they look to lead the charge for Adamson anew.