Growling Tigresses pocket V-League crown

MANILA – University of Santo Tomas ruled the V-League Women's Collegiate Challenge after beating Far Eastern University, 24-26, 25-20, 25-21, 25-14, in Game 3 of their title series at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City on Friday.

UST won Game 1 (25-22, 25-18, 25-14, but FEU took Game 2 (25-22, 22-25, 25-21, 19-25, 17-15) to force the rubber match.

League MVP Angeline Poyos, who skipped Game 2 due to illness, scored 31 points on 29 attacks and two blocks in leading the Golden Tigresses to their seventh title.

UST bagged its first V-League crown in 2010, the same year it won the UAAP Season 72 women's volleyball title.

"I'm very happy for returning in Game 3. My first goal is to help the team, I am so thankful that we got the championship," said the 20-year-old pride of Balilihan, Bohol.

Regine Grace Jurado contributed 15 points while Jonna Chris Perdido had 10 points, 14 excellent digs, and eight receptions.

Margaret Altea added six points, while Finals MVP Ma. Cassandra Carballo chipped in five points, including three blocks, and 19 excellent sets.

"The group is happy, at least we recovered from an upset loss there in Game 2. We are also happy because our group is complete apart from Em (Banagua). We once again experienced being champions here in the V-League, so the joy we feel is overwhelming," remarked UST head coach Kungfu Reyes after the two hour and 17-minute match.

Meanwhile, Faida Bakanke had 16 points on 11 attacks, four blocks, and an ace for FEU, which settled for the silver medal for the second straight season.

Jean Asis had 12 points, including two blocks, while Lovely Rose Lopez and Gerzel Mary Petallo added nine and eight points, respectively. (PNA)