The University of Santo Tomas (UST) Golden Tigresses have long been known for their fierce and competitive spirit, but in recent UAAP seasons, their Achilles' heel has been their lack of height and consistent troubles with blocking.
As the Tigresses gear up for UAAP Season 87, they may have found their answer in a promising new addition: 6-foot-2 Nigerian middle blocker, Blessing Unekwe.
Joining the likes of Em Banagua, Mary Coronado, Marga Altea, and Bianca Plaza, Unekwe is set to bolster UST's frontline—a significant upgrade that head coach Kungfu Reyes hopes will address their defensive woes. The towering middle blocker has already shown flashes of her potential during the Golden Tigresses' 3-0 start in the 2024 V-League Women’s Collegiate Challenge, but Reyes is cautious, noting that there is still much work to be done.
“Malayo pa ‘yan. Inaayos pa namin yung skills niya. Malayo-layo pa, ine-expose lang namin,” Reyes shared.
At just 19 years old, Unekwe has managed to contribute six points across three games, all in limited playing time. The young Nigerian has been slowly acclimating to her new team and the rigors of the competitive collegiate scene. Reyes, who also serves as the head coach for Chery Tiggo in the Premier Volleyball League, believes that with continued exposure to high-level competition, Unekwe will soon find her rhythm.
“I-expose lang namin nang i-eexpose [sa tournaments] though limited time pa so far, pero darating din naman yan 'pag medyo consistent na yung galawan,” Reyes explained, emphasizing the importance of patience and gradual development.
Unekwe’s addition to the Golden Tigresses’ already deep roster is a strategic move for UST as they prepare for what promises to be a highly competitive Season 87. The team’s core—anchored by the reliable Detdet Pepito, Angge Poyos, Cassie Carballo, Regina Jurado, and Jonna Perdido—remains intact, but Unekwe’s presence adds a new dimension to their game plan.
As UST gears up to face other teams’ foreign-student athletes (FSAs) like FEU's Faida Bakanke, National University’s Aishat Bello, and University of the Philippines’ Sarah Ali, the Golden Tigresses are banking on Unekwe to be their game-changer. Reyes is confident that UST will now be able to hold its own against the league’s top contenders, thanks to the added height and defensive presence that Unekwe brings to the court.
“Makakasabay [na] kami sa ibang teams na may FSA. Though kaya naman ng local, iba pa rin yung edge na meron kaming matangkad sa team, meron kaming tower sa gitna kumbaga," Reyes concluded.
