After leading their respective teams to winning streaks, University of Santo Tomas players Angge Poyos and Popoy Colinares earned the Players of the Week nod from the Collegiate Press Corps.

Poyos and Colinares led the Golden Tigresses and Golden Spikers to victories against the De La Salle University Archers and Adamson University Falcons. With the wins, the men’s and women’s teams currently sit in the second spot with an identical 3-1 win-loss record.

Here’s how the two players of the week played in their respective matchups.

Poyos’s performance vs La Salle, Adamson

Against the De La Salle University Lady Spikers, Poyos was all over the stat sheet with 28 big points on 24 attacks, three blocks, and one serve. She also had 16 excellent digs.

In their match against La Salle, the reigning Rookie of the Year scored 21 points and 8 excellent receptions.

With the award, Poyos beat fellow Golden Tigresses Cassie Carballo and Detdet Pepito, Far Eastern University outside hitter Gerzel Petallo, National University team captain Bella Belen, and La Salle team captain Angel Canino.

In an interview, Poyos said their opening game loss against the Far Eastern University fueled their desire to win more games.

She said, “Siguro yung pagiging matibay. Despite sa natalo man kami nung first game, buo pa rin kami na ayun nga, sinisimulan ulit namin sa training, and yung connection namin sa isa’t isa, yun yung pinakaimportante and yun nga, yung guidance din ng coaches, yun din yung isa rin sa mga nagpalakas sa amin.”

Colinares’s performance against La Salle, Adamson

For the Golden Spikers, middle blocker Popoy Colinares successfully manned the net as he scored in double figures in their victories against La Salle Green Spikers and Adamson University Soaring Falcons.

Colinares was the player of the game in Golden Spikers’ dominant 25-21, 25-20, 25-16 win against the Green Spikers on Wednesday, delivering a game-high 17 points on 11 attacks, five blocks, and an ace.

The following Saturday, Colinares had a 10-point performance as UST handed Adamson University another defeat, 25-18, 25-15, 25-23.

Colinares bested his teammate Dux Yambao, National University team captain Leo Aringo, and the Far Eastern University Tamaraws duo Mikko Espartero and Dryx Saavedra.

Like the Golden Tigresses, the Golden Spikers also lost their opening-day match against the still-unbeaten Far Eastern University Tamaraws, which motivated them to do better. The absence of back-to-back MVP Josh Ybañez due to a sprain also pushed all players to step up.

“Nung nasaktan po kami nung first game namin, sabi ko sa sarili ko, hindi na puwedeng maulit ‘yun,” Colinares said. “Kahit nawala po si Josh sa lineup namin, intact pa rin po kami as a team. Kumbaga kahit sinong mawala sa amin, kahit sinong ilagay mo diyan, sure na sure po kaming magpeperform kasi ganon po ka-confident ‘yung bawat player po namin ngayon.” 

The Golden Spikers will face the Fighting Maroons later at 3:00 p.m., followed by the Golden Tigresses against the Lady Fighting Maroons at 5:00 p.m.