No sweating for Angge Poyos as she enters her second year with the UST Golden Tigresses.
Incoming sophomore Angge Poyos understands that she’s not in the same position now compared to the time she was heading into her rookie year with the UST Golden Tigresses.
After showing her wares in UST’s finals run in Season 86, there is a bigger target on Poyos' back. The Rookie of the Year knows that there is more riding on her shoulders this time.
But for her and the rest of the Golden Tigresses, who are often the subject of discussion and scrutiny from the fans, they’ll simply need to focus on what they can control.
“Kung last year no expectations, siguro ngayon marami nang expectations, lalo na sa mga fans. So sa part naming mga players, gagawin lang namin kung ano man yung magagawa namin best namin,” Poyos told One Sports during the UAAP Media Day on Saturday.
“We’re prepared naman physically and mentally. So kung paano nalang namin i-apply kung ano 'yung pinag-training-an namin,” she added.
As part of their build-up for Season 87, UST headed to Nagoya, Japan, for a two-week training camp.
There, they were able to refine their skills thanks to the help of local clubs. For Poyos, it was a great learning experience that will help them sharpen their skills for Season 87.
“We had two weeks na training camp na Nagoya, Japan. Masaya naman. Hindi siya ganon kapagod, kasi may rest day kami. 'Di siya draining for us, 'yung training camp, and marami kaming nakalaban na mga universities and sobrang dami naming natutunan from them,” she said.
But it hasn’t all been rainbows and sunshine for the España-based team, as they now need to buck the absence of hitter Jonna Perdido who suffered an injury during the offseason.
Now tasked to fill in the gaps with the rest of the Golden Tigresses, Poyos said that they’ll just need to work together to hopefully make up for Perdido’s absence.
“'Yung nangyari kay Ate Jo, sobrang ang iniisip lang namin na need na mag-step up ng lahat. Rookies man o mapa-seniors or sophomores, need mag-step up for ate Jonna,” she said.
“Sana makapasok pa rin kami sa finals.”
Poyos too battled some injuries in the tail-end of last season, but the young Golden Tigress said that she feels at her best and is hopeful to sustain it for the rest of the year.
“Ako personally ngayon, healthy naman so far. And sana sa UAAP Season 87, sana 'yun 'yung unang goal namin. Sana walang magkasakit or ma-injure,” she said.