The UST Golden Tigresses suffered another major blow this season as star hitter Xyza Gula was ruled out of the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament due to a displaced tailbone fracture, the team announced in a social media post on Monday, Feb. 10. This came weeks after the team announced fellow Tigress and key player Jonna Perdido would sit out the season due to a ruptured ACL.

“In December last year, Golden Tigress Xyza Gula accidentally fell badly on her back, consequently causing a displaced fracture on her tailbone,” the statement read.

Despite the injury, Gula was still included in the team's plans for Season 87 and participated in their training camp held in Japan in January this year.

However, Gula’s pain from the injury, which persisted even after the expected healing time the team’s resident doctor forecast, hindered her from participating in “vital parts” of the team’s training sessions.

"We ask the ever-loyal UST community to pray for our dear Xyza's recovery and the good health and safety of all our Tigresses and every athlete from all schools participating in the UAAP men's and women's volleyball tournaments," the post read.

The high-flyer played a crucial role in the team’s Season 86 run, providing 18 points from 16 attacks and two blocks, as well as 11 excellent receives, and ten digs in their runner-up finish against the National University last May.

UST will once again bank on the skills of last season’s Rookie of the Year Angge Poyos and team captain Detdet Pepito alongside a fresh roster of rookies in their quest for the title this Season 87.

The schedule of the Golden Tigresses and the Golden Spikers has yet to be officially announced by the league.