THE UST Golden Tigresses inched closer to claim their first-ever finals appearance in the V-League women’s collegiate challenge after sweeping the CSB Lady Blazers on Wednesday, Sept. 18.
UST handled CSB in straight sets, 25-20, 25-16, 25-13, in Game 1 of the best-of-three semifinals at the PhilSports Arena.
Kicking off the series, open hitter Mary Grace Boromeo fired an ace in the first set, allowing the Blazers to surge a 5-2 blitz, 7-all.
The two teams traded blows until Tigress playmaker Cassie Carballo’s clever drop shot extended UST’s lead to three, 17-14. Middle blocker Em Banagua gave UST the opening set after shutting down CSB’s outside hitter Wielyn Estoque, 25-20.
It was a different story in the second frame when Lady Blazer Estoque racked up points to give her team a 5-1 edge. But UST quickly capitalized on CSB’s early five errors to launch a 7-2 run to overtake the lead, 8-7.
Sophomore Angge Poyos dominated the latter stages of the set, capping off the España-based squad’s strong performance with a decisive ace to secure the second frame, 25-16.
One set away from the win, the Tigresses maintained their composure as Poyos denied Lady Blazer middle blocker Rhea Mae Densing, 8-5.
UST went on a scoring run, powered by outside hitter Jona Perdido’s down-the-line shot, 16-10.
The Tigresses never looked back and surged a 9-3 run to draw first blood in the semis, 25-13.
Carballo orchestrated the offense effectively, earning Player of the Game honors with 15 excellent sets and four markers.
Poyos led UST’s offense with 10 attacks, two blocks and two aces. Perdido and Jurado added support with 13 and 12 points, respectively.
Meanwhile, Borromeo was the only Lady Blazer to reach double figures, finishing with 10 points.
The UST Golden Tigresses aim to secure their finals berth on Sunday, Sept. 22, at the same venue. F
