By MARK REY MONTEJO
University of Santo Tomas asserted its dominance on Ateneo with a 25-15, 26-24, 26-24 win to clinch solo third in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Saturday, April 5.
Fresh from a pulsating five-set triumph over the Adamson Lady Falcons, the Golden Tigresses kept the momentum going particularly in the second and third sets with Angge Poyos, Reg Jurado and Cassie Carballo delivering the goods.
Poyos took the spotlight again, firing 16 points off 15 attacks and one ace, while Jurado and Marga Altea provided ample support with 10 points apiece. Carballo, for her part, tallied 14 excellent sets on top of five points.
It was the second straight victory for UST since halting a three-game slide to improve its card to 7-4. They hacked out a 25-20, 25-23, 25-21 first-round win over Ateneo last March 9.
It also put them one game ahead of fourth-running Far Eastern University.
AC Miner had 13 points while Lyann De Guzman posted 12 points in a futile attempt for Ateneo, which dropped its second straight game to stumble at 4-7 at sixth.
In men’s action, UST outsteadied Ateneo, 26-24, 25-17, 25-22, for its third straight win.
Two-time MVP Josh Ybañez starred anew with 24 points off 20 attacks, one block and three aces for the Gold Spikers, who hiked their tally to 7-4 for third place.
Ed Colinares and Jay De La Noche also shone with 13 and nine points, respectively, while Dux Yambao had 21 excellent sets.
The victory was a redemption of sports for the España-based squad after absorbing a 20-25, 22-25, 25-22, 21-25 defeat to the Blue Eagles in their first meeting.
Ken Batas pumped in 20 points on 19 attacks and one block while Amil Pacinio Jr. posted nine points in a losing effort as Ateneo absorbed its second straight defeat for 6-5 at fifth.
In the other game, La Salle overcame a close opening set and downed UE, 30-28, 25-16, 25-22, to tie with UST with a similar 7-4 card.
UE, meanwhile, remained winless in 11 games.
