UST ends medal drought

HEADLINES

University of Santo Tomas recovered from a third set setback before taking down University of Perpetual Help System DALTA, 25-20, 25-21, 17-25, 25-13, to claim the bronze medal in the Shakey's Super League National Invitationals battle for third Game 2 Saturday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.

Sophomores Regina Jurado, Xyza Gula and rookie Angeline Poyos connived in a telling 14-3 run in the fourth set as the Tigresses finished off the Lady Altas to complete a clean sweep of the best-of-three series.

"After (four) years, finally, we won a medal," a relieved UST head coach Kungfu Reyes said after his squad bagged its first podium finish since winning the Premier Volleyball League Collegiate Conference bronze back in 2019.

Reyes lauded his wards for showing great character for bouncing back from a third set meltdown to salvage a consolation third place finish.

"New faces, (a) new chapter. We have a very young team with some spice so to speak," Reyes said of his squad that won five of its six games in the tournament despite fielding a youthful lineup.

Poyos, a UST high school standout, filled the stats sheet anew with impressive numbers on offense with game-high 26 points built on 16 spikes, eight aces and two kill blocks for UST.

After taking the third frame behind reigning National Collegiate Athletic Association Most Valuable Player Rhose Dapol, Perpetual threatened to bring the match to a decider after keeping the fourth set close.

However, UST turned a slim 11-10 edge to a 23-12 advantage. Jurado put the game at match point, 24-13, with a sharp kill before the Lady Altas surrendered the series with its last of 13 errors total.

Dapol poured in 25 points as the lone Lady Altas player in double figures while Shaila Omipon and Raizel Aldea.