University of Santo Tomas wreaked havoc once again after ripping apart University of the Philippines, 25-22, 25-20, 26-24, for its sixth consecutive victory in the first round of the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament on Wednesday, March 13, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. 

The Golden Tigresses now moved a win away from completing a rare sweep in the early eliminations as they stayed as the only undefeated side in as many games. 

Meanwhile, the Fighting Maroons remained winless in six games as their losing streak stretches to 17 matches following last season’s one-win campaign. 

Rookie Angge Poyos, who recently delivered a career-best performance 26 points in UST’s straight-set win over Ateneo, unloaded another game-high 22 points built on 18 attacks and four aces as she stays consistent with no output under 22 markers yet since her UAAP debut and consequently lifting the Golden Tigresses to the top. 

Xyza Gula and Regina Jurado kept their presence meaningful in the sixth victory with 14 and 12 markers, respectively, in just three sets. 

With the 6-0 record, it is UST’s best start in the tournament since Season 73 back when Aiza Maizo and Rhea Dimaculangan were seeing action for the España squad. 

“Hindi naman namin talaga nakikita na ito ‘yung best run. Pero para sa akin so far sa stint ko rito sa UAAP, talagang pinaka best na start namin. Kasi nga nu’ng nag-start [ako as the head coach], talagang 0-2, 0-3. Pag nag-end kami ng first round minsan 3-4 or 4-3 ‘yung record,” UST head coach KungFu Reyes said. 

“Siguro sa proseso na ginagawa namin high school pa lang ‘yung mga players [na-ttrain na sila agad]. Tumataas ‘yung levels ng skills. Sa amin, ito nga ‘yung best start since Season 73. Malaking morale booster. Kasi kung ano ‘yung pinaghihirapan ng mga bata talagang paying off. Hindi kami tumitigil kasi nga ang haba pa ng liga,” he added. 

The Golden Tigresses are seeking to keep the solo lead when they take on the Adamson Lady Falcons to wrap up their first round campaign on Saturday, March 16.

Although the State U managed to consistently keep the match tightly contested in each set, UST showed no signs of letup. 

In the third set, both squads traded powerful attacks before Poyos and Jurado stepped in with back-to-back hits to end the extended set and sealed the win for the Golden Tigresses. 

Steph Bustrillo paced UP anew with 14 points as she was all alone in the offensive effort. 

On the other hand, the Fighting Maroons square off with fellow cellar dweller University of the East Lady Warriors on Sunday, March 17.

Last season, UP actually scored its first breakthrough win at the expense of UE which should give the Fighting Maroons some sort of hope in snapping their nasty losing skid.