Golden Tigresses go for early sweep

MANILA, Philippines — Pacer Santo Tomas spikes for a first-round sweep while reigning champion La Salle and National U, at joint second spot, battle in a heavyweight rematch in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament today at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

The Golden Tigresses, with their best start in 13 years at 6-0, want no let-up against the skidding Adamson (2-4) at 4 p.m. just after the fiery Round 1 encounter between the fancied Lady Spikers (5-1) and the Lady Bulldogs (5-1) at 2 p.m.

Santo Tomas, which claimed the scalp of La Salle and NU, to become the surprise No. 1 team so far, has matched the 6-0 start of Santo Tomas icons Rhea Dimaculangan and Aiza Maizo-Pontillas in Season 73 with a 25-22, 25-20, 26-24 win over the University of the Philippines last Wednesday.

Dimaculangan and company won the school’s last UAAP title the season before and the Golden Tigresses have their sights set on that bigger goal down the stretch, more than just a stellar elimination round start. 

“Nandito na kami pero hindi kami titigil kasi ang haba pa ng liga eh,” said coach Kungfu Reyes on his young, hungry pack led by super rookie Angeline Poyos.

Watching closely on Santo Tomas’ back are the streaking La Salle and NU, now in catch-up mode after taking turns at the UAAP thrones in the last two seasons. The Lady Bulldogs won Season 84 via a 16-0 sweep as the Lady Spikers exacted vengeance in Season 85 led by back-to-back UAAP Rookie-MVPs in NU’s Bella Belen and La Salle’s Angel Canino.

Both are in hot runs – three straight wins for La Salle and five in a row for NU – with only one team keeping that spree to stay within striking distance with Santo Tomas.