Santo Tomas handed University of the East its 25th straight loss, 25-21, 26-24, 25-20, and shored up its Final Four drive in the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball yesterday at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
The Golden Tigresses survived a near meltdown in the second set and notched their fifth win in the last six games, slowly but surely peaking at the right time with a 7-4 slate, including a 3-0 record at home.
Later, Vange Alinsug scored 15 points as titleholder NU (8-3) repeated over Adamson (6-5), 25-20, 25-21, 25-21, to tighten the grip on second spot.
Top MVP contender Angge Poyos fired 17 points on 14 hits, two aces and a block laced by nine digs and six receptions for yet another all-around brilliance.
Cassie Carballo provided 17 sets as Regina Jurado added 11 points while Avril Bron (8), Blessing Unekwe (6) and Xyza Gula (5) chipped in key contributions for the wards of coach Shaq delos Santos, the author of Santo Tomas’ last UAAP title in 2010.
But the Tigresses are from satisfied, aching to sustain their drive to not just make the semis but gain a twice-to-beat advantage.
‘Obviously, hindi pa ito ‘yung top form namin. Lesson learned na kahit lamang ka, hindi ka pwede mag-relax. Kailangan tapusin talaga hanggang sa dulo,’ said deputy coach Lerma Giron.