UST rallies past FEU to stay unbeaten in UAAP women’s volleyball

UST Golden Tigresses celebrate during a victory over FEU Lady Tamaraws in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

By: June Navarro - Reporter / @junavINQ

Philippine Daily Inquirer / 10:16 PM March 03, 2024

MANILA, Philippines–University of Santo Tomas rediscovered its deadly form just in time to snatch victory from near defeat at the expense of Far Eastern University, 22-25, 21-25, 25-23, 25-20, 15-7, on Sunday night at the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball.

Staring at a probable setback, the Tigresses rose from two sets down and survived another five-setter for the second time around to keep their unblemished record intact after four games.

Angeline Poyos delivered 21 attacks from her game-high 24 points and Margaret Banagua powered her way to 13 points and four blocks, but it was the solid contributions of Xyza Gula and Mae Coronado that helped the Tigresses restore order in a daring comeback.

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Gula fired 12 attacks out of 13 points and Coronado had eight points and three blocks, justifying the decision of coach Kungfu Reyes from plucking them off the bench beginning in the third set.

“We have an old rivalry with FEU and we expected this. Luckily, we were able to recover and play within our system,” said Reyes after the Tigresses negated their 40 errors with another tight win.

Cassie Carballo tossed in 25 excellent sets, Bernadett Pepito had 20 digs and 24 receptions for the Tigresses, who likewise survived defending champion La Salle in a five-setter a week ago.

“We’re down by two, but the determination to win was there. We just fought for every point, for every set,” said Reyes.

Banagua positioned UST in clinching the opening set with a powerful down-the-line kill and followed it up with a block that put them ahead.

But Faida Bakanke punched a crosscourt and deflected Jonna Perdido’s attack, instantly shifting the tide in FEU’s favor. Gerzel Petalio then scored on a push and ended the set with an off-the-block strike.

Jean Asis got into the groove in the second set, delivering four attacks for the Lady Tamaraws in a 7-2 run that reversed the trend.

Errors then mounted for the Tigresses with Poyos and Regina Jurado faltering at set point that accelerated another failed effort.

The Tigresses refused to call it a night though, stealing the third set in a roller-coaster ride that ended on a pair of hits unleashed by Banagua and Coronado.

Gula and Coronado got into the act in the fourth set as the Tigresses weathered FEU’s rally. With UST safely ahead, a perfectly prepared toss that Poyos smashed tied the match, forcing the decider.

Coronado and Gula set the tone for a carnage in the fifth, pushing the Tigresses to an early 4-1 advantage.

“I told her (Coronado) that she should always be ready and she delivered,” said Reyes.

Back-to-back attacks by Poyos, a combination play completed by Jurado and Banagua’s block further widened the gap before Gula capped the night with two straight crosscourt kills.

Dongallo leads UE past Ateneo in UAAP volleyball women’s opener

 Casiey Dongallo (9) and the UE Lady Warriors celebrate their win over Ateneo Blue Eagles in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

By: June Navarro - Reporter / @junavINQ

MANILA, Philippines–Casiey Dongallo has been augured as the next big thing in college volleyball.

The rookie spiker from Catmon, Cebu was good as advertised, scoring 27 points in her collegiate debut to spearhead University of East’s come-from-behind 20-25, 25-18, 25-23, 25-18 victory over Ateneo on Saturday at the opener of the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball.

Dongallo capped her heroics by delivering the Lady Warriors’ last three attacks, shattering the hopes of the Blue Eagles from stretching it further to the limit.

“I’m just thankful to my teammates. I cannot have 27 points without them,” said Dongallo, who compiled the most number of points for a rookie in her first UAAP game.

Kizzie Madriaga, Dongallo’s high school teammate from the California Academy, produced 16 excellent sets and libero Angelica Reyes took care of the defensive end with 22 digs.

“I was able to score those points with the help of my teammates and Kizzie. When I got nervous at the start, my teammates were there to back me up,” said the 18-year-old Dongallo.

Lyann De Guzman compiled 18 points and had 16 digs for the Blue Eagles, who lost for the first time against UE since Season 73 back in 2010.

“This is the first time in 14 years. The reason why we came to UE is to make history and this is a part of it. The rest is going to be a process, so it’s going to take a while,” said UE assistant coach Obet Vital.

The Lady Warriors won only six games the past six seasons, winning only one match each last year and in 2022.

“If we win two (this season), we’ve already matched the last two years. It’s going to be a bonus if we win three. It’s a new system that we brought to UE. We’re happy about the win, but there’s a lot of work ahead of us,” said Vital.

Dongallo, one of the most sought-after high school players before committing to UE with Grace Fernandez, Jelaica Gajero and Madriaga, bagged the MVP plum in CAL’s title-winning campaign in the Shakey’s Girls Volleyball Invitational League last year.

The third set was a real nip-and-tuck affair with UE cutting itself loose from the tight contest with less effort by simply watching the Blue Eagles frustrate themselves.

Zey Pacia’s long wallop that sailed beyond the endline shattered a series of deadlocks that ended at 20.

Then, Riza Nogales’ tip created more space for the Lady Warriors before Tuku’s attempt got smothered at set point.

De Guzman actually scored the tournament’s first kill and several plays later finished off their rivals in the first set with an attack that bounced off the fingers of Dongallo before falling in.

Geezel Tsunashima’s series of strikes set the tone for Ateneo’s opening-frame victory, putting them ahead early, 8-3, before Dongallo and Madriaga made the Warriors look better.

But after Takako Fujimoto drove in the first ace of the season, 16-11, the Blue Eagles charged ahead with De Guzman taking control.

Fortunes reversed in the next set as the Lady Warriors shifted the trend in their favor by seizing the upper hand early built on the efforts of Nogales and Yesha Rojo.