MANILA – University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses reached the finals of the Shakey’s Super League after a 25-21, 25-20, 19-25, 25-20 victory over Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws in the semifinals at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila.
Rookie Angeline Poyos sizzled with 21 points on 17 hits and four blocks as the Golden Tigresses, while Jonna Perdido and Regina Jurado added 15 and 14 points, respectively.
Save for a third-set meltdown, the Golden Tigresses kept their poise in taming the Lady Tamaraws behind the heroics of Poyos, Perdido and Jurado in the first, second and fourth set.
“Gusto ko ‘yung attitude ng mga bata. Hindi sila basta bumigay. Nilaban nila. ‘Yun ang natutunan namin. Wala talagang bumitaw,” said Golden Tigresses deputy mentor Lerma Giron.
Chenie Tagaod had 16 points, while Faida Bakanke and Negrense Kiesha Bedonia added 12 and 11 points, respectively, for the Lady Tamaraws, which still have a chance at a podium finish against Adamson Lady Falcons in the bronze medal match.
The Golden Tigresses will face the defending champions National University Lady Bulldogs in the best-of-three championship series beginning this Friday at the same venue.
The Lady Bulldogs barged to the finals after a 25-13, 26-24, 25-20 sweep of the Lady Falcons behind the exploits of team captain Erin May Pangilinan and reigning MVP Alyssa Solomon.
Pangilinan fired 11 points on seven hits, two blocks and two aces, while Solomon cashed in 10 points on seven attacks, two blocks and an ace for the reigning champions Lady Bulldogs.
Former UAAP Rookie-MVP Mhicaela Belen, Evangeline Alinsug and rookie Arah Ella Panique contributed nine, eight and seven points, respectively, for the UAAP Season 85 runner ups.
“Ganoon pa rin naman sa finals kung ano yung tinatrabaho namin dapat sabay-sabay ang kundisyon nila. ‘Yun ang kailangan naming trabahuhin,” said Lady Bulldogs head coach Norman Miguel./PN
