Xyza Gula has limelight as UST seeks to extend eye-popping run
UST Tigresses’ Xyza Gula.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Less than a week removed from showing character beyond its years and unveiling a new offensive weapon, University of Santo Tomas returns to the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament floor on Saturday, looking to snatch win No. 5 and extend what has been an unbelievable run by a young squad never given much of a chance in all preseason talk.
The Golden Tigresses battle struggling Ateneo in the 2 p.m. game at SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay, having all the momentum and confidence they need especially after roaring back from two sets down to clip Far Eastern in a win that had someone outside of Angge Poyos or Regina Jurado bailing them out.
Xyza Gula is now an open secret after erupting for 13 points coming off the bench in the third set against the Lady Tamaraws in that five-set suspense theater. How she handles being one of the defensive targets of the opposition from here on will be an interesting sidelight against the Blue Eagles.
“I just wanted to put the fun back for us on the court,” Gula had told reporters of her magnificent stint off the bench last Sunday.
But coach Kung Fu Reyes wants everyone in his team to keep their eyes on the ball as they near a first round sweep.
“The mentality we want to instill in the team is that we will fight as hard as we can no matter who is on the other end of the court,” Reyes said in Filipino after beating three of the better teams in the tournament in that 4-0 start, counting conquests of the champions in the past two seasons in National U and La Salle.
“Every point, every game is important,” he said. “That’s why our discipline and determination to win are crucial.”
New system
Ateneo, meanwhile, is at 1-3 and is in the process of rebuilding after losing its top players to the pro ranks.
Coming off a straight sets loss to the Lady Spikers where they won only a combined 53 points, the Blue Eagles have their work cut out, especially if Santo Tomas’ other guns regain their touch.
Brazilian coach Sergio Veloso is confident that his Eagles have been slowly adapting to his system. And with the end of the first round drawing near, he wants to see results.
“Now it’s time to prove the system,” Veloso said as he goads his charges to gather steam for a Final Four push.
Meanwhile, the Lady Tamaraws try to put that stinging loss to the Tigresses behind and get back on track in their clash with dangerous Adamson in the 4 p.m. game.
The Lady Falcons will be coming off a win and can stay inside the upper half of the standings if they pin a third straight loss on the Lady Tamaraws.
Last season’s third placer, Adamson will be coming in fresh from a 25-19, 25-19, 26-28, 29-27 conquest of University of the East. But coach JP Yude knows what the Lady Falcons will be up against.
“They are a very good team,” Yude said when asked of Far Eastern. “We prepared for five days for them and must work hard against them.”
