THE UST Golden Tigresses kicked off their finals campaign with a straight-set victory over the FEU Lady Tamaraws in Game 1 of the V-League women’s volleyball conference on Sunday, Sept. 29.
UST won over FEU via sweep, 25-22, 25-18, 25-14, to take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three finals series at the PhilSports Arena.
The Tigresses proved their prowess by capitalizing on their strategic offense led by opposite spiker Reg Jurado, who was named the player of the game, with 11 points built on eight attacks, two aces and a block.
The “battle of neighbors” started off tightly, with FEU launching a 4-point barrage that put early pressure on the UST squad, 4-0.
UST sparked a 7-0 run, bolstered by the service aces from setter Cassie Carballo and powerful attacks of Jurado to claim the first set, 25-22.
The España-based squad dominated the second frame after UST star Angge Poyos drained a successive attack from the middle to keep the pressure on the Morayta team’s defense.
Poyos continued to bombard FEU with attacks to secure a six-point lead, 17-11. FEU attempted to rally, but Jurado delivered a game-ending ace to seal a 25-18 set-win.
FEU tried to regroup, but Poyos’ back-to-back hits allowed UST to take control in the last frame. The Tamaraw’s unforced arrow gave the Tigresses the 25-14 victory.
Poyos steered UST with 15 out of 28 excellent attacks, while open spiker Jonna Perdido contributed 10 makers.
Middle blocker Jean Asis spearheaded FEU’s offense, delivering a standout performance with nine excellent attacks. Open spikers Gerzel Petallo and Cherie Tagaod added eight and six points, respectively.
The UST Golden Tigresses aim to sweep the FEU Lady Tamaraws and secure their championship title in Game 2 of the finals on Oct. 2 at the same venue. F
