MANILA — University of Santo Tomas Junior Golden Tigresses stormed back from two set deficits and outlasted Bacolod Tay Tung High School Thunderbolts in a grueling five-set classic, 16-25, 26-24, 19-25, 28-26, 15-10, to seize the Shakey’s Girls Volleyball Invitational League (SGVIL) Rising Stars Cup Division 1 title and complete a dominant seven-game sweep at the La Salle Green Hills Gym.
Showing championship poise under pressure, the Junior Golden Tigresses leaned on clutch plays in the deciding frame, unleashing a telling 8-2 run that broke a 5-5 deadlock and erected a commanding 13-7 cushion en route to their first finals triumph in four years.
Nicole Pelaez and Most Valuable Player Kimberly Rubin spearheaded the UST charge, combining firepower and composure to turn back a determined Tay Tung side that had them on the ropes twice in the match.
In the tense fifth set, Bacolod Tay Tung blinked first as UST’s relentless attack took control. Rhose Almedralejo tried to will the Thunderbolts back into contention, but the Junior Tigresses moved to match point after Almendralejo’s service error made it 14-8.
The Thunderbolts saved two match points, but Nicole Mendoza delivered the championship-clinching kill block on Jhaennine Mayang to seal the victory.
Pelaez erupted for 24 points built on 20 kills and four kill blocks, while Negrense standout Rubin hammered 22 of her 23 points from attacks as UST capped a perfect campaign and returned to the top.
Mendoza and Eliz Menchavez chipped in 10 markers apiece for the Junior Golden Tigresses, who booked their finals return by dethroning National University Nazareth School Lady Bullpups.
Despite the loss, Tay Tung extended its streak of runner-up finishes to three straight years. Almendralejo led all scorers with 26 points, while Mayang added 17 and Faith Banguia contributed 12 in a gallant stand.
Almendralejo was named Best Outside Hitter, while Jhayna Bulandres of NUNS took the Best Opposite Spiker award. Mendoza earned Best Middle Blocker honors, Tay Tung’s Luchi Viviero was recognized as Best Libero, and UST’s Andreaj Tan Chun Bing bagged the Best Setter plum.
Meanwhile, NUNS-B Lady Bullpups captured the Division 2 crown after outlasting University of Batangas High School, 33-31, 25-17, 25-23, in their one-game final./PN
