On-fire UST Golden Tigresses sweep Ateneo for fifth win in a row

University of Santo Tomas showed endgame composure as it disposed Ateneo de Manila University in straight sets, 25-20, 25-23, 25-21, in the UAAP Season 87 women's volleyball tournament on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena. 

The Golden Tigresses have now won their fifth straight win to improve to 5-1 while the luckless Blue Eagles slipped to a 1-4 card after losing another player to injury early in the game. 

UST, which opened its campaign with a four-set loss to Far Eastern University before winning its next four games prior to this match, broke an 18-all deadlock in the third set with Angge Poyos knocking down back-to-back attacks while a Regine Jurado cross court attack saw the Golden Tigresses restoring a 23-19 lead. 

Before that 5-1 rampage, UST had to survive the hot hands of spark plug Alex Montoro, who subbed in after Sobe Buena was stretchered off the court in the first set after hurting her right knee following an awkward landing. 

Buena was the latest injured player from Ateneo after Zel Tsunashima and Jlo Delos Santos. 

UST, however, remained unfazed even after a flurry of attack from Montoro as Pia Abby delivered on a quick kill that put them up at 24-20 before veteran Ateneo spiker Lyann De Guzman saved one through her attack from the opposite wing, 24-21. 

Jurado, though, put on the finishing kick by single-handedly denying Montoro. 

Poyos top-scored UST with 19 points built on 16 attacks, two blocks, and one ace alongside five receptions while Jurado and Abbu tallied 14 and 13 markers apiece. 

AC Miner and De Guzman paced Ateneo in the loss, chipping in 13 and 11 points apiece. 

—JKC, GMA Integrated News