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John Bryan Ulanday - The Philippine Star
March 6, 2025 | 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — Santo Tomas notched its fourth straight win while Far Eastern U zoomed to solo third spot as last year’s semifinalists started to stamp their class and jockey for safe positions in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball yesterday at the Mall of Asia Arena
The Golden Tigresses, runners-up in Season 86, wore down host University of the Philippines, 25-11, 25-23, 23-25, 25-12, to go 4-1 and maintain a grip of second behind unbeaten and reigning champion National U.
Santo Tomas’ lone loss came at the hands of FEU, which earlier scored a 25-23, 25-19, 25-20 sweep of winless University of the East for a 3-2 slate.
FEU’s win created a little separation from idle La Salle and Adamson, with similar 2-2 records, in an early playoff positioning nearing the end of the first round.
Regina Jurado and Angge Poyos were an unstoppable tandem once again with 22 and 21 points, respectively, as the Golden Tigresses recovered from a third-set meltdown.
Margaret Altea chipped in nine while Athena Abbu and playmaker Cassie Carballo added seven each. Carballo had 21 sets while team captain Detdet Pepito provided 22 digs and 10 receptions as Santo Tomas looked steady despite the season-ending injuries to a couple of key players.
“Ni-remind ko lang po ang team namin na maging calm lang kasi kapag sinasabayan ‘yung kalaban, doon kami nagkakagulo. Good thing nung fourth set na-apply namin,” said Jurado.
For the Lady Tamaraws, the troika of Gerzel Petallo (12), Chenie Tagaod (11) and Mitzi Panangin (11) led the way to their second straight win after back-to-back losses.
