Golden Tigresses rip Lady Warriors for solo third place

MANILA, Philippines — University of Santo Tomas tightened its grip on the third spot in the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball tournament after clawing the University of the East Lady Warriors, 25-21, 26-24, 25-20, Sunday afternoon at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion in Manila.

The Golden Tigresses, for now, rose to solo third after defending home court, going up to a 7-4 win-loss record after winning five of their last six games.

The squad is right behind defending champion National University (7-3), and Adamson and Far Eastern University, which are both holding 6-4 slates.

NU and Adamson will battle each other in a crucial matchup later Sunday.

Angge Poyos powered the Tigresses with 17 points on 14 attacks, two aces and a block, to go with nine digs and six receptions. Reg Jurado chipped in 11 markers.

After an easy win in the first set, it looked like it was headed the same way in the second set as UST led by nine, 24-15, after a Poyos tip.

Khy Cepada, then, powered one in, and it unlocked a 9-0 run capped by a point by Cepada to tie things up at 24-all.

A service error, followed by a block by Avril Bron, saved UST from the meltdown, 26-24.

In the third set, UE led early on, before the Espana-based squad found its rhythm anew.

The Lady Warriors trailed by three, 18-21, after an ace by Bea Zamudio, before Julia Balingit, Bron and Cassie Carballo teamed up to give UST the win, 25-20.

Bron, Blessing Unekwe and Xyza Gula produced eight, six and five in that order. Carballo tossed up 17 excellent sets in the win.

Former UST High School standout Cepada topscored for UE with 17 points, while Zambudio had 12.

UE dropped to 0-11.

In men’s action, the Golden Spikers booted out the Red Warriors from the Final Four, 22-25, 25-15, 25-19, 25-23.

Josh Ybanez carried the load with 25 points while Joncriz Ayco had 12.

Raquim Aceron finished with 17 points for the 1-9 UE.

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