UST Golden Tigresses head coach Kungfu Reyes. Photo from UAAP Media.

MANILA — The University of Santo Tomas (UST) looks to surpass their finals run last year as UAAP women’s volleyball returns for Season 87 despite being undermanned.

The Golden Tigresses, who just fell short of clinching the Season 86 championship as they were defeated by National University, will be competing sans Jonna Perdido and Xyza Gula as they deal with an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear and a tailbone fracture, respectively.

But even with UST competing without two of its vital weapons from last year, head coach Kungfu Reyes is optimistic that their rookies will be ready to provide instant help as they engage in another season of UAAP volleyball action.

“Part ng pagiging isang player 'yun [injury] regardless ng event, pero ang pinakamaganda meron kaming time to adjust. Na-address namin especially 'yung pwesto ng mga main and role players namin,” he said during the league’s pre-tournament press conference on Thursday in Pasay.

Among those who are expected to join the España-based spikers this year are rooks Marga Altea, Ashley Knop, Kyla Cordora, and Maribeth Hilongon -- and Reyes is confident of the quartet’s capabilities.

“May pool of players naman kami na ready to fill in for their positions, and on the brighter side, we had enough time to prepare para sa adjustments so naka-adapt sila,” he pointed out.

Aside from this, Coach Kungfu is also confident that their veterans and stars like Detdet Pepito and Angge Poyos will make their neophytes' transition as seamless and as productive as possible.

“Magkaka-alaman pa sa games, so doon namin makikita sa actions na gagawin nila,” the veteran tactician said. “Mixed emotions 'yan especially mga rookies, so hopefully, maging maganda 'yung performance nila.”