Santo Tomas walloped winless University of the East, 25-11, 25-14, 25-14, for its second straight victory in UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball yesterday at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
Buoyed by a home turf edge, it took only 78 minutes for the Golden Tigresses to dispatch the Lady Warriors and jack up their slate to 2-2 after a flat start in coach Shaq delos Santos’ return season.
Ace scorer Angge Poyos once again starred for Santo Tomas with 11 points in limited play as middle blockers Avril Bron and Marga Altea chipped in eight points each. Jonna Perdido also made her presence felt, rediscovering her groove with 10 points on five hits, three aces and two blocks after an ACL tear injury last season.
But the Golden Tigresses, who made short work of Ateneo for their debut win this week, 26-24, 25-18, 25-21, are still far from peak form.
No player finished in double figures for the Lady Warriors with KC Cepada, a former Junior Tigress herself, settling for nine points in their fourth straight defeat.
Later, Niña Ytang fired 18 points as UP (3-1) stormed back from two sets down to hand NU (3-1) its first loss, 16-25, 16-25, 25-22, 31-29, 15-13, in a thrilling marathon for a share of second spot behind unbeaten La Salle (3-0).
The Fighting Maroons showed steely nerves under new mentor Fabio Menta of Italy by clawing back from match point in the extended fourth set and the fifth.