Rookie power hitter Angeline Poyos prevented Adamson’s brewing comeback with a series of savage kills as University of Santo Tomas stayed perfect, 25-18, 22-25, 25-15, 28-26, late Saturday night at the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament.
Poyos tied the match one last time with a down-the-line spike before knocking down two more crosscourt hits in the fourth set that sealed UST’s sweep of the first round.
“We began the tournament with a nice win and thankfully we were able to end it with another,” said Poyos after delivering 18 attacks on top of 10 receptions.
The Tigresses emerged unscathed after seven games, their best start since sweeping the first round of the 2006-2007 season.
Jonna Perdido contributed to the UST cause with 14 attacks out of her 16 points apart from two blocks, Regina Jurado added 12 points and two aces while Cassie Carballo tossed 22 excellent sets with a pair of aces.
“It’s still a long tournament, so it’s going to be a big challenge as we enter the second round,” said UST coach Kungfu Reyes.
Rochelle Lalongisip compiled 14 points while Antonette Adolfo had 12 along with Lucille Almonte, who made life difficult for the Tigresses with a variety of strikes that stretched the final frame to the limit.
The Lady Falcons lost their fifth match in seven games, but not after giving the Tigresses several jittery moments throughout.
Almonte’s push and down-the-line hit nearly forced another five-setter, 26-25, before Poyos came to the rescue with three successive attacks.
“I know there are a lot of things that we need to work on. We have to adjust in succeeding games and we are not allowed to relax in the second round,” said Poyos.
