UST's Poyos, Ybanez gain UAAP Player for the Week citation

MANILA, Philippines – Angge Poyos and Josh Ybañez continued to play bigger than their actual size as they powered the UST women's and men's teams, respectively, to a perfect week in the conclusion of the first round in the UAAP Season 86 volleyball tournaments. 

Leading the Golden Tigresses and the Golden Spikers to similar 2-0 records, Poyos and Ybañez earned the nod as the Collegiate Press Corps’ UAAP Players of the Week of the women's and men's divisions, respectively, presented by San Miguel Corporation for the period March 13-17.

Poyos normed 20.0 points ignited by a complete outing of 22 points, seven excellent digs and seven excellent receptions in UST's 25-22, 25-20, 26-24 sweep of UP on March 13.

The 5-foot-8 rookie outside hitter came up with another all-around performance, logging 18 points, 10 digs and 10 receptions in the Golden Tigresses' 25-18, 25-22, 15-25, 28-26 win over the Adamson Lady Falcons on March 16.

Poyos' superb performances in those two games enabled the league-leading Tigresses to complete a 7-0 sweep — the school's best start in the Final Four era and first opening-round sweep since the 2006-07 season.

As rousing as UST's start is, the Kungfu Reyes-mentored Golden Tigresses are not keen on lowering their guards anytime soon with a lot of room for improvement in the tougher second round. 

"I know na marami pa kaming tatrabahuin and marami pa ring ia-adjust sa mga susunod pa na mga games at talagang bawal kaming mag-relax dahil may second round pa," said Poyos, who earned her second Player of the Week plum. 

Poyos beat out La Salle's Shevana Laput, FEU's Chenie Tagaod, UP's Steph Bustrillo and Ateneo's Lyann De Guzman for the weekly citation supported by minor sponsors Discovery Suites and Jockey.

Meanwhile, the 5-foot-7 Ybañez averaged 22.5 points starting with a 21-point game plus 11 receptions in the Golden Spikers' 25-23, 25-14, 25-16 blanking of the UP Fighting Maroons on March 13. 

In a hard-earned 25-18, 21-25, 25-19, 23-25, 15-10 victory over the Adamson Soaring Falcons on March 16, the reigning MVP then poured 24 points and 26 receptions.

Ybañez and the Golden Spikers thus recovered from their three-game slide and ended the first round with back-to-back wins for a 4-3 slate, fourth best in the league.

Ybañez was more than willing to share the credits with his teammates. 

"Masaya ako kasi nakita ko sa mga teammates ko na gustong-gusto nila manalo and of course ako din and ayun nga ginawa namin siya as a team, nanalo kami as a team," said Ybañez, who bested NU's Leo Aringo, FEU's Martin Bugaoan, UE's Axel Defeo, and Adamson's John Gay for the Player of the Week award given by the print and online scribes covering the beat.