UST middle blocker Avril Bron draws inspiration from her older sister Agatha, who is a two-time UAAP basketball champion, as she plays her first year with the Golden Tigresses in UAAP Season 88.
UST's middle blockers were on full display in the Golden Tigresses' three-set demolition of the UE Lady Warriors at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion on Saturday, February 28.
With setter Cassie Carballo manning the offense, Avril Bron strutted her stuff in what was her best game so far for UST.
Starting all three sets, Bron finished with eight points in a balanced UST attack, adding an extra middle dynamic to the output from Angge Poyos (11 points), Jonna Perdido (10) points, Reg Jurado (eight points), and Marga Altea (eight points).
After the win, which helped UST build a win streak and improve to 2-2 for the season, Bron spoke about taking a page out of her sister Agatha's books.
Agatha is a two-time UAAP basketball champion with the UST Growling Tigresses.
"Yung [hard work] niya, sinusundan ko lang din... Siya na din mismo nagsasabi kung paano yung tinatrabaho nila so parang gusto ko rin gayahin yun para maging same [yung] results,” Bron said.
However, Bron knows it isn't a one size fits all for UAAP glory especially as they move in different sports.
For the rookie, it takes subscribing to her team's system and allowing her offense to come naturally rather than pushing the issue.
It was a key factor in her coming-out party for UST against the Lady Warriors.
[RELATED: UAAP: UST Tigresses pile on UE's woes for back-to-back wins]
"Ako personally, sinunod ko lang yung sinabi ni Coach Shaq [delos Santos] kasi parang napansin niya din sobrang naninigas na ako sa gigil umatake so, ayun, nakinig lang talaga ako sa mga sinabi niya,” she said.
Home sweet, home
For the UST Golden Tigresses, the win over UE was a much-needed breather aside from the fact that they corrected their poor start to the season.
Being able to play on their homecourt, Bron said that it was a good change of pace following a difficult first week.
With a rare opportunity of getting to play on their own court, Bron was nothing but grateful.
"Thankful lang po kasi nabibigyan kami ng opportunity na makapaglaro sa QPav na mas mailalabas namin kung ano yung pinagttraining-an namin kasi yun, mas comfy, mas less yung iniisip po,” she said.
UST dominated every aspect of the match, tallying nine blocks and eight aces against UE.
On the other hand, the Lady Warriors did not tally a single block point, which was a testament to Carballo's strong decision making.
Carballo had five points and 13 excellent sets in the quick sweep.
UST faces the Adamson Lady Falcons next on March 7, Saturday, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
UE, meanwhile, hopes to bounce back against defending champions NU on Wednesday, March 4, in the same Quezon City venue.
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Luisa Morales is a sports writer with a special interest in promoting women’s sports.
Her coverage highlights include the UAAP, PVL, Southeast Asian Games, and the FIBA World Cup. She also follows Alex Eala, the Philippine women’s national football team, and mixed martial arts.