UST silenced NU in straight sets in the UAAP Season 86 women's volleyball tournament on Sunday.
University of Santo Tomas shocked National University, carving out an emphatic 25-19, 25-23, 25-22 victory over last year's finalist in the UAAP Season 86 women's volleyball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Sunday.
The Golden Tigresses impressed in their first outing as they kept the Lady Bulldogs at bay throughout the match.
Angge Poyos finished with 16 points on 13 attacks, while Regina Jurado and Jonna Perdido, who delivered the last pair of attacks for UST to halt NU's late fightback in the third, added 11 points apiece.
Cassie Carballo also had a solid outing for the black-and-gold as she dished out 20 excellent sets that went with six points, four on service aces. Skipper Bernadett Pepito guarded the floor for UST with her 16 digs and 12 excellent receptions.
Alyssa Solomon fired 14 attacks and registered two blocks for a team-best 16 points, Evangeline Alinsug had 10 attacks in her 11-point finish while Michaela Belen put in an all-around effort of nine points, 17 digs and nine excellent receptions.for the Lady Bulldogs.
With Poyos taking charge, the Golden Tigresses distanced themselves from NU at 16-10 in the opener before warding off foes Alyssa Solomon and Vange Alinsug to gain the headstart in the match.
UST then showed composure in the second as the two teams figured in a neck-and-neck battle until Jonna Perdido scored back-to-back points to take the frame for the Espana-based squad.
In the third set, the Tigresses pushed ahead, 11-9, on setter Carballo's three consecutive aces. Eager to complete the sweep, UST hiked its advantage to 20-16 until the Lady Bulldogs put up a late fight to close in at 22-23 on a Minierva Maaya attack.
But the Tigresses did not falter in the clutch as they strung up three straight points capped by Perdido and Jurado's kills to secure the Tigresses' first win of the season.