Lady Spikers, Tigresses stay in equal footing

MANILA, Philippines — Reigning champion La Salle and surprise contender Santo Tomas primed up for their heavyweight clash next week with a twice-to-beat prize on the line by whipping their respective foes in the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament yesterday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

For the 14th straight game, the Lady Spikers owned the Ateneo Blue Eagles with a 25-12, 25-12, 25-18 win as the Golden Tigresses smothered the UE Lady Warriors, 25-19, 25-9, 25-17, to forge a three-way tie once again with National U at 11-2 entering the final week.

No team has secured a Top-Two finish yet and the coveted win-once bonuses in the Final Four but NU could seal its place with a win against sure No. 4 seed Far Eastern U Wednesday as Santo Tomas and La Salle dispute the other incentive on Saturday.

With fates still up in the air, La Salle and Santo Tomas just made sure to stay on track.

Super rookie Angeline Poyos shone the brightest with 25 points on 21 hits, three aces and a block in only three sets in showing the way for the Golden Tigresses.

With a total of 268 points, Poyos has now produced the most points for a first-year player in UAAP women’s history with still a game to go. Regina Jurado complemented her with 11 points.