UST star hitter Angge Poyos takes her responsibility on the chin after the Golden Tigresses fell out in the Final Four in UAAP Season 87.
Season 86 Rookie of the Year Angge Poyos took UST’s stinging loss to La Salle in the Final Four in stride as she committed a service error that gifted the Lady Spikers the ticket to the UAAP Season 87 Finals over the weekend.
In the high-stakes affair, Poyos and the rest of the Golden Tigresses fell victim to errors, especially in the endgame.
After the match, Poyos said that it was unfortunate that they were unable to make the most out of the chances they were given, especially even before the semis match against La Salle.
Towards the end of the eliminations, UST fell painstakingly short of wins that could have clinched the 2-seed, including a playoff match against the same Lady Spikers.
[READ: Angel Canino, La Salle repeat over UST to forge UAAP Finals clash with NU]
Despite feeling dejected at how things ended for the Golden Tigresses, Poyos said that there’s much hope, especially for next year.
“Sayang, sayang yung game,” said Poyos after the Golden Tigresses spent hours in the dugout before walking out the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“Maraming chances na binigay pero hindi namin napanindigan. Sayang pero grateful pa rin and thankful especially sa mga seniors namin na palagi kami gina-guide and sa coaches naman na hindi nagsawang magtiwala sa amin na kapitan kami.”
Having bucked injuries at the start of the season that deemed key cogs Jonna Perdido and Xyza Gula out for the season, there's certainly a lot of “what ifs” for the Golden Tigresses. But as they look forward to a clean slate next year, Poyos believes there is much more they can achieve.
“Ang sinasabi namin na babawin na lang next year kasi nga andun pa din naman, intact pa din naman yung team. So, need lang namin maging tough mentally and emotionally,” she said.
Personally, Poyos is also making it a mission to improve her composure, especially in crucial moments. As UST continues to rely on her scoring, the wing spiker is eager to repay their trust.
“Learning lesson na lang for me personally. Kasi nga, ayun kapag endgame, dun parang bumibitaw yung team. So, parang learning lesson namin na need namin i-work out sa mga susunod na. Mahaba pa naman. Marami pang years na pwedeng trabahuin especially pag endgame,” she said.
Looking forward to the next year, Poyos hopes to be more consistent, and said that she wants to commit her full effort in what will hopefully be a redemption season for the Golden Tigresses.
“This season medyo inconsistent ako. Aminado naman ako. Reflection ko lang sa sarili ko na ibigay ko lang sarili ko sa team ng buong buo. Mag-commit sa lahat ng mga bagay. Mahalin pa nang mas maigi yung team and mas maging buo pa kami,” said Poyos.
As for any regrets, Poyos said there’s none. At the end of the day, the UST team gave it all they’ve got.
“Binigay namin namin yung best namin. All out naman yung performance namin. Sa sobrang dami namin pinagdaanan this season. Kumapit kami despite all the injuries,” she said.
The Golden Tigresses end UAAP Season 87 with a bronze medal finish.