The UST Golden Tigresses made quick work of defending champions CSB Lady Blazers, 25-23, 25-15, 25-20, to punch their first V-League Women’s Collegiate Challenge finals ticket in 12 years at the Philsports Arena in Pasig on Sunday, Sept. 22.
UST produced four double-digit scorers in the sweep, led by Angge Poyos’s 16 points built on 14 attacks. Reg Jurado contributed 12 points, while Jonna Perdido and Em Banagua chipped in 11 markers, respectively.
With the win, the Golden Tigresses, who last made the V-League finals in 2015, booked a finals matchup with last year’s finalists, the FEU Lady Tamaraws. They also extended their flawless streak to eight games.
“Siyempre finals na ‘yon kaya we are ready; ready tayo,” UST head coach Kungfu Reyes told the Varsitarian. “‘Yong galaw kasi medyo nalilinis na ng mga players natin. From error, nakaka-recover agad. As a group, mas mataas ‘yong level of confidence nila.”
With a tightly contested opening set tied at 23-all, a crosscourt hit by Jonna Perdido, coupled with a double contact violation called on CSB’s Chenae Basarte, allowed the Golden Tigresses to steal the frame and gain momentum.
Perdido, Jurado, Banagua, and Francine Osis powered UST to a 20-10 jumpstart to comfortably take the second set, 25-15.
The Lady Blazers showed life in the third set, even snatching away the lead courtesy of a quick hit by Zamantha Nolasco, 19-18. However, the Golden Tigresses ended the match with a 7-1 run, capped by an attack from Poyos, 25-20.
“Very harmonious ‘yong team e. ‘Yong chemistry and maturity nandoon na. Those things, malaking bagay na nagawan na ng paraan,” Reyes added.
Rhea Densing paced the Lady Blazers in the loss with 12 points, while Wielyn Estoque contributed 11 markers.
The schedule for the best-of-three finals between the UST Golden Tigresses and the FEU Lady Tamaraws has yet to be released by the V-League. with reports from Karla Louise B. Maningas
