Poyos sizzles as Golden Tigresses devour Lady Warriors

MANILA, Philippines -- Angeline Poyos waxed hot and erupted for 25 big points as University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses vented their ire on the University of the East Lady Red Warriors, 25-19, 25-9, 25-17, in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday.

Poyos finished with 21 attacks, three service aces and a block in the dominant win over the already-ran UE squad.

Coming off a heartbreaking five-set loss against the FEU Lady Tamaraws, UST wasted no time and just mauled the Lady Red Warriors right from the get-go.

The third set was tighter compared to the second set, with UE tying it up at 14.

However, back-to-back-to-back errors by the Lady Red Warriors gave the Tigresses a three point lead, 17-14.

An off-the-block attack by Casiey Dongallo stopped the run, but Pierre Abellana went on a tear, unleashing three straight points capped by a kill to help UST go up by five, 20-15.

The blitz was halted with a service error by Abellana, but Poyos took over following an error by Khy Cepada, scoring on three straight possessions to put the Espana-based squad to match point, 24-16.

A block on Bianca Plaza kept UE alive, but a 1-2 play by Cassie Carballo ended the match.

Reg Jurado backstopped the Tigresses with 11 points, while Carballo had 17 excellent sets.

Cepada led the Lady Red Warriors with nine markers, while Dongallo settled for just seven.

With the win, UST secured at least a playoff for the twice-to-beat advantage as they rose to 11-2 in the season, tied for the top spot with the National University Lady Bulldogs.

The two teams are currently ahead of the 10-2 La Salle, who will face the Ateneo Blue Eagles in the second game of Sunday.

UE dropped to 2-11.