THE UST Golden Tigresses fell short in a hard-fought five-set thriller against the Arellano University Lady Chiefs, 21-25, 25-21, 33-31, 23-25, 13-15, in the 2026 Women’s V-league Collegiate Challenge on Saturday, Aug. 22, at the Gameville Central Park.
The Tigresses were without captain Reg Jurado and Lianne Penuliar for the match.
Meanwhile, 5’7 libero Niña Robles from California State University made her debut for UST.
The España-based squad found themselves trailing midway in the opening set, 8-16, before the Tigresses trimmed the deficit to two, 19-21.
The Lady Chiefs, however, pulled away, as Crisanta Servidad’s two down-the-line attacks to seal the first set, 25-21.
UST regained control in the second set, building an early 10-5 cushion before Angge Poyos’ attacks and Blessing Unekwe’s blocks helped the Tigresses level the match at 25-21.
The Tigresses and Lady Chiefs engaged in a tight third-set battle, trading points in a seesaw affair that extended deep into deuce.
With the set hanging in the balance, Poyos delivered back-to-back points to finally seal the Tigresses’ 33-31 victory.
Despite UST’s efforts to erase Arellano’s lead, Catherine Chu and Heart Villaflores kept the Lady Chiefs ahead in the fourth set before Servidad sealed the frame, 25-23, to force a decider.
The Golden Tigresses fell short in the deciding set as Arellano pulled away from a 13-all deadlock, with Villaflores and Servidad delivering the final blows to hand the Lady Chiefs a 15-13 victory.
The Tigresses look to regain their momentum in their next match against the University of Perpetual Help Lady Altas, on Sunday, Aug. 30 at the same venue. F
