THE UST Golden Tigresses secured their spot at the V-League Collegiate Challenge semifinals by dominating the CSB Lady Blazers, 25-23, 25-16, 25-18, in their final elimination game on Sunday, Sep. 27, at the Gameville Central Park.
The Tigresses notched their place as the third seed with a 4-3 win-loss record, behind the Arellano Lady Chiefs and the Adamson Lady Falcons.
Marga Altea spearheaded the Tigresses’ offense with 15 points off 11 attacks and three blocks, while captain Reg Jurado added 14 markers.
“I don’t want to pressure myself as long as I’m helping the team and not adding to the errors. With our limited training hours, we need to be focused and aim for quality training,” Altea told The Flame.
UST led the match early in the first set capped off by an Altea block, 16-10, but Benilde slimmed its deficit to 23-20.
Benilde’s Mary Grace Borromeo and Jurado traded spikes at the tail-end of the set, 24-21, before Ash Lesses answered with back-to-back kills to cut the lead to 24-23. But Altea immediately responded with a crosscourt winner to seal the set, 25-23.
Both teams initially exchanged blows at the second set before Arianna Pua and Lesses helped narrow the Lady Blazers’ deficit to a single digit, 13-12.
Altea’s two-straight points sparked a 12-4 UST run capped off by Jurado’s attack and an attacking error from Benilde, 25-16.
After a 3-0 third set start, a service ace from Adrienne dela Cruz and numerous errors from the Tigresses paved the way for the Blazers’ first match lead, 3-4.
CSB maintained its lead in a tight fashion before an Avril Bron tip, followed by Altea’s block and attack, brought UST back in front, 16-15.
The Tigresses embarked on a 9-3 blitz before Bianca Plaza sealed a game-winning attack.
Cam Bartolome and Llesses paced a combined 20 points in a loss for Benilde.
The Final Four schedule of the tournament is yet to be announced. F
