UST’s Angge Poyos. Photo from UAAP Media. 

MANILA (UPDATED) — University of Sto. Tomas dominated Ateneo de Manila University to protect their perfect record this year.

This, after the Golden Tigresses defeated the Blue Eagles in straight sets, 25-19, 25-16, 25-19, in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament, Saturday afternoon at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City

Angge Poyos put up a career-high of 26 points that came from 21 attacks, three blocks, and two aces, to lead all scorers in the game. 

"Masaya na nanalo kami and lahat talaga nagtrabaho, lahat nag-contribute and well distributed yung bola kaya nakuha namin yung panalo," Poyos told reporters during the post-game interview.

"Yung third set, medyo nag-relax kami pero grateful naman dahil nakabalik kami and naipanalo namin yung game," she added.

Reg Jurado also stood out for the Kung Fu Reyes-coached team as she finished with 12 markers and 10 digs, while last week’s Player of the Week Cassie Carballo continued to display her playmaking skills by putting up 17 excellent sets. 

After the Tigresses made quick work of the Ateneans in the first two sets, both teams figured in a tight contest in the third and saw themselves tied at 15 midway through it. 

But UST won the next three rallies, capped by a Mae Coronado ace, and errors from Ateneo in the following plays eventually allowed the España-based hitters to extend their lead.

Another error from Ateneo later in the game gave UST the match point, while an attack from Poyos, her 21st of the game, ended the contest.

UST overwhelmed the Blue Eagles with 50 kills while limiting Ateneo to just 28 points off their attacks. The Tigresses also had more blocks (6-2) and aces (8-5), though they also gave away 18 points off their unforced errors.

Lyann De Guzman led the 1-4 Ateneo with 11 points. Helping her were Zel Tsunashima who had eight, and AC Miner who finished with seven.

Both teams will return on Wednesday at the same venue, with UST looking to extend its win streak to six when they face the University of the Philippines, while ADMU will be hoping to bounce back when they face Adamson University.