The UST Golden Tigresses officially earned their spot in the Final Four, and for Angge Poyos, that remains the only goal that matters.
Despite slipping to fourth in the UAAP Season 88 Women’s Volleyball Tournament MVP race, Poyos stayed locked in on the bigger picture as UST ousted the FEU Lady Tamaraws, 16-25, 25-20, 25-18, 25-16, in their playoff at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“Ang pinaka-importante naman talaga sa akin is ‘yung team na makapasok namin sa Final Four, kasi yun yung pinaka-unang goal namin this season. And siguro mag-achieve na if ever makapasok sa Finals,” said Poyos.
“Ayun, siguro mas importante ‘yung collective effort na gagawin kesa sa individual awards,” she added.
Leading UST’s Final Four March
Poyos led the charge with 26 points built on 22 attacks and 4 blocks, alongside 7 receptions and 5 digs, steering the Golden Tigresses past an early setback after dropping the opening set.
The Golden Tigresses regrouped behind their core, with Regina Jurado contributing 11 points and 12 digs, and Xyza Gula providing a spark off the bench with 9 points, 11 digs, and 7 receptions. Avril Bron added 8 points, as Cassie Carballo orchestrated the offense with 21 excellent sets and 7 digs.
Team captain Detdet Pepito once again anchored the defense, tallying 15-of-17 excellent receptions and 18-of-27 excellent digs.
Angge Poyos Is All About Team
Unsurprisingly, Poyos credited the team’s response after a sluggish start in a win-or-go-home setting.
“Slow start kami; ni-remind lang ng mga coaches na ilaban namin kasi nandito na kami, and talagang do-or-die game today. So, talagang pinusuan namin para makuha namin yung game na ito,” she said.
“’Yung effort talaga ng bawat isa lumabas and ‘yung guidance ng coaches nandiyan naman palagi and ayun, natapos namin nang wala kaming pinagsisihan ngayong araw na ito.”
The Golden Tigresses now shift their focus to a stepladder quarterfinal clash against the Adamson Lady Falcons, a team they didn’t defeat in the elimination round.
“Sobrang saya lang kasi nga talagang pinaghandaan namin yung game na ‘to. Masakit man yung pagkatalo namin nung last game, pero nag-move on talaga kami at talagang trinabaho namin,” Poyos said.
“Grateful na nakuha namin ‘yung panalo today. Sana magtuloy-tuloy na sa Final Four.”
