The UST Golden Tigresses overcame a slow start to defeat the UP Fighting Maroons, 16–25, 25–13, 25–19, 25–20, in the UAAP Season 88 Women’s Volleyball Tournament at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
In the fourth set, the Fighting Maroons came out strong and built a 13–9 lead. However, Reg Jurado, Lianne Penuliar, and Angge Poyos refused to back down, igniting a 12–3 rally that shifted the momentum to UST and gave the Golden Tigresses a 21–16 advantage.
UST Seals Rally in Four
Jelai Gajero trimmed the deficit to two points, 19–21, but Julia Balingit, Jonna Perdido, and Avril Bron denied UP’s comeback attempt to seal the victory.
“Ginawa lang namin sa team, lalo na ‘yung second set, ginising namin sila. Then again, of course ‘yung bawi talaga…kasi kung titingnan natin, itong game na ito ang magdidikta kung ano ‘yung kapalaran namin sa first round,” said Golden Tigresses assistant coach Yani Fernandez.
“‘Yung tapang bumalik na, pero siyempre hindi pa rin kami magpapakampante doon sa performance nila. Still, mayroong mga kailangang trabahuhin.”
Poyos led the Golden Tigresses with 24 points built on 20 attacks, 3 blocks, and 1 ace, while Jurado added 16 points. Perdido finished with 12 markers.
Cassie Carballo orchestrated UST’s offense with 18 excellent sets, while Detdet Pepito anchored the defense with 15 excellent receptions and 9 excellent digs.
For the Fighting Maroons, Niña Ytang paced the team with 14 points, while Gajero contributed 12 markers.
The Golden Tigresses will wrap up their first-round campaign against the FEU Lady Tamaraws on Saturday, March 14, at 3:00 p.m. at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. Meanwhile, the Fighting Maroons will face the Adamson Lady Falcons on Sunday, March 15, at 1:00 p.m. at the same venue.
