University of Santo Tomas overcame a tight opening-set battle before cruising to a straight-sets victory, dethroning College of St. Benilde, 25-23, 25-15, 25-20, in Game 2 of the 2024 V-League Women’s Collegiate Challenge on Sunday at the Philsports Arena.
The Golden Tigresses leaned on Jonna Perdido late in the first set to fend off the Lady Blazers. They then dominated the next two frames to extend their undefeated streak in the tournament to 8-0.
“Nag-stick lang doon sa sistema. Nag-stick sa sistema, malinis na ‘yung galaw, ‘yung maturity little by little, nagagawan na nang paraan,” said UST head coach Kungfu Reyes.
“Yung harmony ng team nandoon, ‘yung mga different tasks nila nafu-fulfill so magandang indication kung bakit nga kami nasa finals. Nagagawan namin ng paraan every after error,” he added.
Perdido, who earned Player of the Game honors, broke a 23-all tie in the opener with a scorching cross-court attack. A double contact violation by Chenae Basarte then handed the Golden Tigresses a 1-0 set lead.
UST hardly broke a sweat in the second frame and finished strong in the third, closing out the one-hour, 16-minute match. They now face UAAP rival Far Eastern University in a best-of-three finals series.
Angge Poyos led the Golden Tigresses with 16 points, including 14 attacks, and contributed seven excellent receptions. Regine Jurado added 12 points on nine attacks, two aces, and one block, along with nine excellent digs.
Perdido and Em Banagua chipped in 11 points each to round out UST’s double-digit scorers.
The Golden Tigresses will battle the Lady Tamaraws in Game 1 of the finals on Sunday at 3:00 PM.
Meanwhile, the defending champions, Benilde, were relegated to the bronze medal series, where they will face the University of the East, also on Sunday at 12:00 PM.
Rhea Densing paced Benilde with 12 points, while Wielyn Estoque contributed 11 points and seven excellent digs.
