ATTACK. UST's Angeline Poyos (No. 17) tries to score against UP's Kianna Louise Olango (No. 6) during the V-League Women's Collegiate Challenge at the Paco Arena in Manila on Wednesday (Sept. 11, 2024). The Golden Tigresses prevailed, 25-15, 25-14, 25-23, to get the No. 1 seeding in the semifinals. (Photo courtesy of PVL)
MANILA – University of Santo Tomas defeated University of the Philippines, 25-15, 25-14, 25-23, to secure the No. 1 seeding in the semifinals in the V-League Women’s Collegiate Challenge at the Paco Arena on Wednesday.
UAAP Season 86 Rookie of the Year Angeline Poyos scored 15 points, 12 on attacks, in leading the Golden Tigresses to their fifth straight win.
Regine Grace Jurado, who had nine points, joined hands with setter Ma. Cassandra Carballo to help UST recover from a 9-14 deficit in the third set and wrap up the match in one hour and 20 minutes.
Carballo finished with 12 excellent sets and four points, including two aces. Stephanie Arasan and Mary Margaret Banagua also scored four points.
Kianne Louise Olango had eight points, while Niña Ytang added seven points, including two aces, for the Fighting Maroons, who took their third loss against three wins.
"We're working on our maturity, decision-making, and judgment, those things. The skills are already there. We're enhancing them during training so we need an avenue like V-League which is a big opportunity especially to the rookies," UST head coach Kungfu Reyes said.
UST will go for a sweep of the eliminations when it battles Letran on Friday.
Meanwhile, National University survived Colegio de San Juan de Letran, 25-23, 23-25, 25-20, 26-24, to boost its semifinal bid in the men's division.
Two-time SEA V-League Best Outside Hitter Michaelo Buddin and Leo Aringo Jr. scored 20 points apiece as the Bulldogs notch their second straight victory and fourth overall against two losses to gain a share of third place with UST.
Far Eastern University has a 6-1 slate while De La Salle University sports a 5-1 record.
"You can see that although we are in rank 4 right now, the players that I don't usually use are improving. But as I said, we just need to maximize that who is left behind is the one who can still play when it comes to these situations," NU head coach Dante Alinsunurin said.
John Derrick Bautista had 17 attacks while Steven Sta. Maria contributed 15 attacks and a block for the Knights, who concluded their campaign with a 2-5 card. (PNA)
