UST middle blocker Pia Abbu has been a viable third option for the UST Golden Tigresses, backstopping the likes of wing spikers Reg Jurado and Angge Poyos.
Expect Pia Abbu to make up the difference as the UST Golden Tigresses make do without prolific scorers like Jonna Perdido and Xyza Gula, as they deal with injuries that rule them out of UAAP Season 87.
That is, behind the offense of sophomore Angge Poyos and veteran spiker Reg Jurado, Abbu is always willing to step up to the challenge.
In their gritty four-set win over the Adamson Lady Falcons, Abbu contributed 10 big points to backstop Poyos and Jurado who scored 21 and 17 points, respectively, as they turned back a determined Shaina Nitura.
[RELATED: Reg Jurado, UST drub Shaina Nitura and Adamson for third straight win in UAAP Season 87]
After the game, Abbu said that she wanted to show out for her fallen teammates, and most importantly, fill the gaps in scoring which they left.
“'Yung sa mga teammates namin na may injury, sila 'yung pinaghuhugutan namin ng lakas para rin mapakita namin sa kanila na mananalo kami para sa kanila,” Abbu said.
But she wasn’t one to toot her own horn as Abbu credited her teammates for being able to trust her especially during the clutch. She ended up with eight attacks and two blocks in her scoring resume against Adamson.
“Thankful lang din sa teammates kasi 'yung tiwala na binibigay nila sa akin. Sa ensayo naman nagsa-start ‘yon. Kung ano 'yung ine-ensayo namin, ‘yon din napapakita namin sa laro,” she said.
Though not being the face of the UST offense for the most part, Abbu has been reliable for UST head coach Kung Fu Reyes, who continues to figure out the Golden Tigresses’ game plan without key players in the lineup.
With a dark horse team in the UP Fighting Maroons next for UST’s schedule on Wednesday, Abbu hopes to learn even more with the various dynamics of their foes.
“Excited din [ako] kasi ibang kalaban and marami matututunan so 'pag training, ibang kalaban na at ibang type na paghahanda kasi iba 'yung dynamics nila as a team,” she said.
Currently, the Golden Tigresses are on a three-game winning streak and are 3-1, only suffering an opening day loss to the FEU Lady Tamaraws.