The UST Golden Tigresses clinch the 2024 V-League Women’s Collegiate Challenge title, their first since 2010, after dismantling the FEU Lady Tamaraws in Game 3 of the finals, 24-26, 25-20, 25-21, 25-14, at the Philsports Arena on Friday, Oct. 4. (Photo by Maria Luisa I. Manalastas/ The Varsitarian)

No more early celebrations this time.

The UST Golden Tigresses secured the V-League Women’s Collegiate Challenge title—for real this time—by defeating the FEU Lady Tamaraws, 24-26, 25-20, 25-21, 25-14, in the winner-take-all Game 3 at the PhilSports Arena on Friday, Oct. 4.

The victory, which gave the Tigresses their first V-League title since 2010, came after the anti-climactic ending of Game 2, where confetti was prematurely released as the Tigresses were close to victory but ultimately lost after a game-changing challenge from FEU.

“We stayed in the moment lang ngayon. Kung hindi lang pumutok yung confetti last game, baka nanalo pa kami e,” said UST head coach Emilio “Kung Fu” Reyes.

“We moved forward. Gano’n lagi. For how many years, sumubok, nabigo; ngayon, naging maayos kahit papano,” he added.

In the opening set, the Golden Tigresses reached set point after a Jonna Perdido attack, but Tin Ubaldo’s attack and back-to-back Perdido handed FEU the early lead, 26-24.

Trailing 17-13 midway through the second set, UST banked on four Poyos attacks to mount an 8-2 run, allowing the Tigresses to regain control, 21-19.

Poyos tallied back-to-back kills, and Gerzel Petallo’s attack error paired with a Cassie Carballo service ace allowed UST to equalize the game at one-set apiece, 25-20.

In the third set, the Tigresses quickly flipped a 6-2 deficit into a 10-8 edge as they blasted FEU with an 8-2 spurt. With contributions from Regina Jurado, Poyos and Perdido, UST kept FEU at bay for the rest of the set to move within striking distance of the title, 25-21.

The Tigresses started strong the final set with four unanswered points, before pulling away with a 13-3 blitz to build a 17-7 cushion that sealed their momentum.

Jurado delivered back-to-back attacks to send the Tigresses to match point and then the victory, 25-14.

“Hindi lang talaga kami nag-dwell sa nangyari no’ng Game 2 kasi alam namin na may next game pa, doon lang talaga kami nag-focus,“ Carballo said.

Carballo recorded 19 excellent sets and five points, earning her the Finals MVP award.

Tournament MVP Angge Poyos, returning after missing Game 2, led the Tigresses with 31 points from 29 attacks.

Jurado contributed 15 points, including the championship-clinching hit, while Perdido added 10 points.

For FEU, Faida Bakanke led with 16 points, while Jean Asis had 12 markers in their losing effort.

The Tigresses will continue their preseason campaign tomorrow, Oct. 5, at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum, facing the Mapua Lady Cardinals in their Shakey’s Super League opener. Rob Anrew L. Dongiapon

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