Promising trio has UST Tigresses off to roaring start

Led by their troika of Angeline Poyos, Regina Jurado and Jonna Perdido, the UST Golden Tigresses had quite a debut in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — University of Santo Tomas may have lost Eya Laure and other veteran cogs but the Golden Tigresses quickly formed a solid trio in Angeline Poyos, Regina Jurado, and Jonna Perdido in their UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball campaign.

The young troika combined for 40 points to lead UST’s stunning 25-19, 25-23, 25-22 win over National University on Sunday at Mall of Asia Arena.

For Poyos, who debuted with 16 points, losing Laure doesn’t mean the end for UST.

“Ate Eya (Laure) may not be around but we added more pieces,” said the hard-hitting Poyos in Filipino. “Even though, we lack the height, we have the skills. It’s like we were able to replace ate Eya with more players.”

SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 86 volleyball first round

Jurado and Perdido, who scored 12 points each, said the young Tigresses proved that they can carry UST’s fight even after the departure of Laure, Milena Alessandrini, Imee Hernandez, and KC Galdones’ collegiate careers.

“Even though we’re small, we try our best to more than fill the void left by the players we lost,” said Jurado, who also backstopped libero Detdet Pepito in protecting the floor.

The trio outgunned NU’s dynamic duo Bella Belen and Alyssa Solomon with the help of Cassie Carballo’s impressive playmaking.

Jonna Perdido UST Tigresses UAAP volleyball

Jonna Perdido.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Perdido, a third-year wing spiker, said Laure and former MVP Sisi Rondina, who watched and cheered for them against the Lady Bulldogs, were part of their motivation to play well and stay consistent in their next games.

The three hope to prove that UST will reach greater heights this season. The Tigresses last made the finals in 2019 when Rondina, Laure and Co. lost to Ateneo in a deciding Game 3 in Season 81.

Despite an impressive debut, Poyos was far from satisfied with her performance knowing she has much more to offer in the coming games.

“I’m not satisfied with how I performed tonight and I know I can bounce back to adjust better in our coming games,” said Poyos.

Poyos hopes to play even better when UST faces UE and its own rookie sensation Casiey Dongallo on Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

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“Like us, they also have a lot of rookies on their team and I can say that they’re good players, they have the skills. It will boil down to which team can handle the pressure more.”