Poyos, Colinares bare fangs, power UST

The spiking University of Santo Tomas (UST) duo of Angge Poyos and Popoy Colinares have gone viral recently for their superb showing in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 87 men’s and women’s volleyball tournament.

After splitting their first two games, both the Golden Tigresses and the Golden Spikers registered a perfect week from 26 February to 2 March by sweeping their respective two matches.

With their significant production that propelled UST to the second spot in both divisions, Poyos and Colinares were named as the Collegiate Press Corps (CPC) UAAP Players of the Week presented by the Philippine Sports Commission.

Poyos, the Season 86 Rookie of the Year, unleashed a season-high 28 points built on 24 spikes, three blocks, and an ace in the Golden Tigresses’ 25-12, 22-25, 13-25, 25-23, 15-13 come-from-behind victory over the De La Salle Lady Spikers last Wednesday while also tallying 16 digs.

She backed it up with a 21-point explosion in their 25-21, 20-25, 25-13, 27-25 win against the Shaina Nitura-led Adamson Lady Falcons on Saturday.

For the 21-year-old pride of Balilihan, Bohol, their opening day loss to Far Eastern University served as their motivation in their ongoing three-game winning streak.

“Even though we lost our first game, we are still one and we have worked things out in training. Credit also to the coaches for guiding us and they’re one of the reasons why we work hard,” Poyos said.

Poyos beat teammates Cassie Carballo and Detdet Pepito along with FEU’s Gerzel Petallo, NU’s Bella Belen, and La Salle’s Angel Canino for the weekly citation.

In men’s play, middle blocker Colinares, despite not originally being a top scoring option, showed off for double figures in their two games this week against La Salle and Adamson.

The third-year UST High School product launched a game-high 17 points on 11 attacks, five blocks, and an ace in the Golden Spikers’ 25-21, 25-20, 25-16 dominant win over the Green Spikers on Wednesday.

He then followed it up with 10 points, being one of four players in double figures, as UST drubbed Adamson, 25-18, 25-15, 25-23 on Saturday for a 3-1 record, tied with reigning champion National University at second spot.