The UST Golden Tigresses’ Angge Poyos and Regina Jurado are keeping a positive mindset despite early-season adversity.
This season, the Golden Tigresses nearly found themselves repeating one of their worst starts in recent memory after suffering a straight-set loss to the Adamson Lady Falcons that dropped them to a 2–3 record in the UAAP Season 88 Women’s Volleyball Tournament.
But before the slump could deepen, UST quickly bounced back.
The Golden Tigresses regrouped and rediscovered their form, defeating the UP Fighting Maroons in four sets, 16-25, 25-13, 25-19, 25-20, to get their campaign back on track.
Poyos, Jurado Lead UST Bounce Back
Angge Poyos led the way for UST with 24 points, along with 7 excellent digs and 6 excellent receptions, helping the Tigresses recover from a sluggish opening set.
“Thankful kasi tiniyaga talaga namin. Slow start man pero second, third, and fourth set talagang inilaban namin. Hindi na kami nagtira sa sarili—100 percent na talaga ‘yung ibinigay namin sa game na ito,” said Poyos.
Despite the team’s uneven start in the tournament, Regina Jurado emphasized that the Tigresses are choosing not to dwell on their early setbacks.
Jurado, who was one of UST’s bright spots in their loss to Adamson, stressed the importance of moving forward as the long UAAP season continues.
“Move on na kaagad kasi hindi po ikabubuti sa feelings namin at sa mindset namin kung magda-dwell pa kami sa losses namin,” Jurado said. “Mahaba pa po ‘yung season, so may opportunity pa po talagang makabawi ang team.”
UST Still in the Thick of Things
With the victory, UST improved to a 3–3 record, creating a three-way tie for fourth place with the Adamson Lady Falcons and the UP Fighting Maroons.
The Golden Tigresses will next face the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws on Saturday, March 14, while Adamson and UP will battle each other on Sunday, March 15.
As the second round of eliminations approaches, Poyos and Jurado acknowledged the responsibility they carry as senior leaders of the team.
“As seniors, talagang kailangan naming mag-step up, especially sa mga ganitong moments at sa mga games,” Poyos said. “Siguro kailangan naming magpakita ng strong front as seniors sa mga bata, para maging role models din kami kung paano sila in the future.”
Poyos, Jurado, and the rest of the Golden Tigresses will wrap up their first-round campaign against the FEU Lady Tamaraws later today at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
