The UST Golden Tigresses are taking things in stride as they enter UAAP Season 87 without a pair of their key gunners.
After an inspiring silver medal finish in Season 86, it seemed like the UST Golden Tigresses were on pace to snap a decade-long title drought in the UAAP Women’s Volleyball Tournament.
However, tragedy struck in España during the leadup to Season 87, with lefty gunner Jonna Perdido suffering an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury during the Shakey’s Super League last November.
Days before the new UAAP season, it was announced that spark plug Xyza Gula suffered a tailbone injury, which further worsened the Tigresses’ personnel woes. But even with these losses, the UST faithful can take solace in their players’ continued desire to step up for their ates.
“Mahirap, syempre lalo key players ‘yung mga nawala samin, pero wala, tinanggap namin. I think ready naman kami sa kahit anong mangyari, katulad nung nangyari sa finals [with Angge Poyos’ injury] diba? So pinrepare nalang namin sarili namin sa mga ganong sitwasyon,” UST co-captain Detdet Pepito said during the Season 87 collegiate volleyball press conference on Thursday.
“‘Yung progress naman ng team namin ngayon is okay naman…Andon na rin naman ‘yung gusto mag-step up. Kitang kita mo naman sa mga bata, pero syempre marami tayong kulang na sana mapunan this season.”
Perdido formed part of UST’s offensive trio along with Rookie of the Year Angge Poyos and co-captain Reg Jurado, while Gula provided energy off the bench with her timely scoring and heavy serving.
For her part, Jurado believes the Tigresses can still grow on the spot once Season 87 fires off this February 15.
“Medyo short ‘yung preparation namin, and ayun nga sabi ni coach [Kung Fu Reyes], ta-try nalang namin punan while the season is ongoing kasi hindi naman natin masasabi na naging perfect itong preseason,” the wing spiker reflected. “Ayun, sana nga, ‘yung experience after ng ilang games this UAAP eh ma-reach na namin ‘yung gusto naming goal na mag-finals.”
UST will also have solid rookie additions led by homegrown star Marga Altea, who will have to mature quickly to fill the Tigresses’ current talent gaps along with incoming sophomore Poyos, star setter Cassie Carballo, and the co-captains Jurado and Pepito.
“Ine-expect din namin siya [Altea] na mag-step up samin, pero hindi lang naman siya ‘yung shoulder to lean on namin, kami din naman, overall I hope kaming lahat din talaga mag-show up pag kailangan,” Jurado said.
The UST Golden Tigresses will open their UAAP Season 87 campaign against the FEU Lady Tamaraws this Saturday. And while she’s tempering her expectations, the fourth-year Pepito is nonetheless confident in the team’s capability to make another huge run in the women’s volleyball tournament.
“Super low din ng expectations namin ngayon kasi parang masasabing rebuilding kami, kasi half ng team rookies ulit katulad last year. Ayun, rebuilding pero at the same time ‘yung core namin, first six is andon pa rin,” Pepito said. “Isa lang nawala samin, si Jonna lang sa first six, so hopefully madala namin ‘yung experience namin [from last season] this season.”
Banner image courtesy of the UAAP Media Bureau.