MANILA – University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses drew first blood in the V-League Women’s Collegiate Challenge Finals after a 25-22, 25-18, 25-14 Game 1 victory over Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
Regina Jurado displayed her efficient offensive game with 11 points to be named Player of the Game as the Golden Tigresses took a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three championship series.
Angeline Poyos powered the Golden Tigresses with a game-high 15 points, all from attacks, Jonna Perdido chipped in 10 points, while Negrense Cassie Carballo tallied 15 excellent sets.
The Golden Tigresses, aiming for their first V-League crown since 2010, bucked a shaky start then controlled every aspect of the game the rest of the way to the dismay and disappointment of the Lady Tamaraws.
“Talagang ine-ensayo namin ‘yang ganyang skills. ‘Yung defense pattern namin, nako-compensate namin sa atake,” said Golden Tigresses mentor Emilio “Kung Fu” Reyes in a post-game presser.
He added: “Hindi kami ganoong katangkaran pero marunong naman kaming pumalo. Well-compensated na kapag na-rebound namin ‘yung bola, for sure aatakihin namin ‘yung last action namin.”
The Golden Tigresses goes for a sweep of their best-of-three championship series against the Lady Tamaraws at five in the afternoon on Wednesday at the same venue in Pasig City.
Middle blocker Jean Asis added nine points, and Gerzel Petallo contributed eight markers for the Lady Tamaraws.
Meanwhile, Far Eastern University Tamaraws overcame a third-set stumble to defeat the De La Salle University Green Spikers, 25-22, 25-20, 18-25, 25-19, in Game 1 of the V-League Men’s Collegiate finals.
Dryx Saavedra was adjudged Player of the Game after tallying 19 points, built on 16 attacks and three blocks, to go with three excellent digs as the Tamaraws took a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series./PN
