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John Bryan Ulanday - The Philippine Star
April 6, 2025 | 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — Santo Tomas fended off Ateneo in a gutsy sweep, 25-15, 26-24, 26-24, and gained solo third spot in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball yesterday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
It’s the second straight win for the Golden Tigresses after a three-game slide bridging the first and second rounds, putting them back in contention for the coveted second-seed and twice-to-beat incentive.
Now at 7-4, Santo Tomas created a slight distance from Far Eastern U (6-4) and moved closer to La Salle (8-3) in the heated race among challengers to reigning champion National U (9-1) with only a few games left in the two-round eliminations.
La Salle swept winless UE (0-11), 25-22, 25-13, 25-23, to strengthen grip of the second seed.
Angel Canino (16) and Shevana Laput (14) connived as the Lady Spikers kept Santo Tomas and FEU at bay in the race for the desired No. 2 seed plus a win-once bonus in the Final Four.
Nessa Bangayan (13) and KC Cepada (11) led UE, which remained winless in 11 matches.
Angge Poyos scored 16 points while Regina Jurado and Margaret Aleta had 10 points each to lead the way for UST.
Maribeth Hilongo added eight with Athena Abbu and playmaker Cassie Carballo chipping in five points each. Carballo also provided 17 sets.
“We’re happy to sustain this play from our last win against Adamson. The maturity and judgment of our players every game is being translated on the court. This is what we want to accomplish moving forward,” said mentor Kungfu Reyes.
Santo Tomas scored an easier 25-20, 25-23, 25-21 win over Ateneo in the first round but had a little trouble this time around, especially in the last two sets that both needed extensions.
The Golden Tigresses did it behind a searing comeback in the second set, unleashing a 4-0 bomb to erase a 22-24 deficit capped by Poyos’ crosscourt kill.
It was Santo Tomas which enjoyed a 24-22 cushion in the third for match point before needing to douse Ateneo’s comeback behind Poyos’ attack anew.
