MANILA, Philippines – The Tigresses remained on a high.
The UST Golden Tigresses kept their hot streak going, surviving the Adamson Lady Falcons in four sets, 25-21, 20-25, 25-13, 27-25, to climb to a share of second in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament on Saturday, March 1, at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Riding on a three-game winning streak after a season-opening loss against the FEU Lady Tamaraws, UST improved to 3-1, carrying off the momentum from a gutsy five-set win against the La Salle Lady Spikers on Wednesday, February 26, to trail just behind the unbeaten NU Lady Bulldogs in the standings.
Angge Poyos led the Tigresses with 21 points off 20 attacks, while Reg Jurado put up 17 markers to survive Adamson’s late rally.
The Lady Falcons, who have been leaning heavily on rookie sensation Shaina Nitura, slipped to the fourth spot with a 2-2 record midway through the first round.
“They are very hard to play against,” UST team captain Detdet Pepito, who had 13 digs in the game, said in Filipino. “We play almost the same way, we are both small teams, so we just had to grind this out.”
UST led 22-17 late in the fourth set, only for the Lady Falcons to force an extension through a 7-2 run to tie it up at 24-all.
The Tigresses then turned to Poyos and Jurado, and also got help from two Adamson attack errors, to avert another five-setter, 27-25.
“This was a good win, but we are not satisfied with what we are doing. We need to double our hardwork, considering there is little rest in between games,” Pepito added.
The Lady Falcons again relied on Nitura, who recorded a triple-double of 28 points, 14 excellent digs, and 12 excellent receptions, in a losing effort.
Frances Mordi added 13 markers on 12 attacks, but no other Lady Falcons scored in double digits in the loss.
The Tigresses will be back in action against the UP Lady Maroons on Wednesday, March 5, at the FilOil EcoOil Centre, while the Lady Falcons will face the FEU Lady Tamaraws on March 8, at the Mall of Asia Arena. – Rappler.com