University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses booked the first ticket to the 2026 V-League Collegiate Challenge Finals after sweeping Arellano University Lady Chiefs, 25-16, 25-21, 25-15, on Saturday at the Playtime FilOil Centre in San Juan.
The Golden Tigresses controlled the match from the net and completed the semifinal series in two games, earning a championship showdown Adamson University who also swept University of the East.
Game 1 of the best-of-three Finals is set for Wednesday, Oct. 7, at the same venue.
UST gained control early in the third set and never allowed the Lady Chiefs to mount a serious comeback. Cassie Carballo contributed a net kill to give the Tigresses an 8-2 cushion before Marga Altea took over with three consecutive points to widen the gap to 16-9.
The lead proved insurmountable as UST closed out the match to complete the sweep.
Captain Reg Jurado delivered an all-around performance for the Tigresses, finishing with 19 points from 16 attacks, one block and two aces, while also contributing five digs.
Altea added 13 points, including four blocks, and eight excellent receptions. Angge Poyos also scored 13 points, with three coming from service aces.
UST had to overcome an uneven opening stretch in the first set before establishing control. Carballo and Altea combined for a key sequence that gave the Tigresses a five-point advantage, which they protected to take the opening frame.
Arellano stayed within reach in the second set behind Cris Servidad and Catherine Chu, while UST gave away several points through errors. The Tigresses eventually regained control through Altea, Poyos and Jurado to take a 2-0 lead.
UST head coach Shaq Delos Santos credited his players for responding after a shaky elimination-round campaign but said the team still has areas to address before the Finals.
“Siyempre, happy kami (to reach the Finals), especially yung mga players kasi nga medyo shaky kami buong eliminations. Pero good thing na nakapag-perform kami nang maayos. Not enough do’n sa gusto naming mangyari, but good sign siya na may future ‘yung team,” Delos Santos said.
The veteran coach also stressed that the Tigresses will need more than talent and team chemistry when they return to the championship stage.
“Dapat maging precise ‘yung galaw namin sa lahat ng aspects. And hopefully ‘yung tapang. Sabi nga namin, binibigay namin every day ‘yung maibibigay namin sa skills. Yung talent andiyan, pero ‘yung tapang, sipag, ‘yung dedication, dapat manggagaling sa kanila,” he said.
Arellano struggled to generate offense throughout the match, with no player reaching double figures. Keisha Abitria led the Lady Chiefs with nine points off the bench, while Servidad was held to seven and Chu finished with four.
The Lady Chiefs had opened the elimination round with a perfect 5-0 record but will now play for the bronze medal on Wednesday against the loser of the Adamson-UE semifinal series. (Adrian Co)
