The UST Golden Tigresses in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament. Photo from UAAP Media.

MANILA — University of Santo Tomas is starting to find its groove in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball.

After being tripped by Far Eastern University in their opener, the Golden Tigresses have now won three straight, besting University of the East, De La Salle University, and the latest one, Adamson University.

“Wake up call sa amin yun, especially sa mga bata. So ginawa namin siyang challenge at motivation,” said Tigresses deputy Yani Fernandez following their win on Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena, pertaining to their past defeat to the Lady Tamaraws.

The Kungfu Reyes-coached squad outlasted the pesky Lady Falcons who were led by top rookie Shaina Nitura in four sets, but for UST team captain Detdet Pepito, they are still far from regaining the form that helped them reach last year’s finals.

“Malayo pa po talaga, pero yun nga, sabi ko lang sa kanila na tiyagain lang namin,” said the veteran libero, who had 13 digs, nine receptions, one dig, and one point vs. Adamson. “Nakakakuha kami ng panalo, pero ‘di pa rin kami satisfied sa ginagawa namin. Kailangan pa naming doblehin yung tiyaga namin especially sa training.”

“Nakikita namin sa ensayo, unti-unti nang bumabalik. ‘Di pa 100%, pero nakikita naming bumabalik,” added Fernandez.

However, for UST to further ramp up their progress, one hurdle that the team needs to overcome first is the symptoms of sicknesses that some of their players are going through.

“Ang challenge din sa amin, yung health nila. Ang daming may sakit sa amin, sa mga players,” revealed Fernandez.

In their previous win last Wednesday, Fernandez revealed that Reg Jurado was battling through flu, while Pepito was dealing with symptoms of a cold while competing against the Lady Falcons.

“Okay naman po so far. Ubo sipon na lang po, so medyo hingal sa mga rally. Mind over matter na lang,” shared Jurado, who put up 17 points, seven digs, and seven receptions for USTe.

Coach Yani emphasized that rest and recovery are premiums for the Tigresses right now, especially due to the league’s compressed schedule to end of Round 1.

“So hopefully, sabi nga namin sa mga bata: ‘Disiplina lang.’ Talagang active rest, kasi inaalagaan din namin sila. Mahirap na mawalan,” said Fernandez.

“Sunod-sunod na kami, so pahinga lang. Inaalagaan din namin mga materyales namin, siyempre. ‘Pag yan nagkasakit, talagang mahihirapan kami,” he added.