UST sweeps gutsy UP to match best start in 13 years

University of Santo Tomas pulled off a gutsy sweep against hard-fighting University of the Philippines, 25-22. 25-20, 26-24, to remain unbeaten in the UAAP Season 86 women's volleyball tournament on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Rookie Angge Poyos once again led the Golden Tigresses with a game-high 22 points anchored on 18 attacks and four service aces as the España crew cruised to a 6-0 slate, the school's best start since Season 73 in 2011. 

UP, on the other hand, remained winless at 0-6. 

But in order to do so, the Tigresses had to shrug off a gallant fight from the Fighting Maroons, who were actually leading the Tigresses in the third set with a 17-15 cushion before the latter answered with a 6-3 run to regain a 21-20 cushion. 

The Oliver Almadro-mentored squad, though, refused to raise the white flag with Jewel Encarnacion forcing another deadlock at 23-all. Poyos then delivered two match points before opposite hitter Regine Jurado knocked down the win-sealing attack. 

Xyza Gula, who was inserted late in the first set, starred with 14 points alongside 10 digs and 12 receptions while Jurado finished with 12 markers. 

In the second game, Ateneo de Manila University cruised to its second win after eking out a 25-19, 25-19, 22-25, 25-23, behind Lyann De Guzman and Sophia Buena. 

De Guzman and Buena both tallied 22 points with the former chipping in eight receptions while the latter listed 10 digs as the Blue Eagles improved to 2-4, forging a two-way tie at the fifth spot with the Lady Falcons. 

Lucille Almonte and Rochelle Lalongisip paced Adamson with 11 markers apiece. 

—Bea Micaller/JKC, GMA Integrated News