Lady Tigers bag V-League crown

MANILA, Philippines — White confetti fell and the University of Santo Tomas Tigresses had all the time to celebrate.

Denied last time after a premature celebration, UST put Far Eastern U to rest with a 24-26, 25-20, 25-21, 25-14 victory yesterday for the V-League Women’s Collegiate Challenge title at the PhilSports Arena.

It completed the Tigresses’ 2-1 finals victory over the Lady Tams that more than made up for a heartbreaking Game 2 defeat when the former celebrated too early and suffered a stinging 25-22, 22-25, 25-21, 19-25, 17-15 defeat that forced this one final game.

But this time, UST made sure it won’t be denied glory and its first major crown since ruling the V-League and UAAP Season 72 in 2010.

Angeline Poyos, the UAAP Rookie of the Year, went on a spiking spree and fired 31 points including 29 on kills while Regina Jurado chipped in 15 hits that made up for her Game 2 absence.

But none shone the brightest than Cassie Carballo, who dished out 19 excellent sets while chipping in five points to bag the Finals MVP plum

“Siyempre masaya grupo, naka recover from the upset loss sa Game Two,” said UST coach Kungfu Reyes.

For Carballo, they didn’t let that Game 2 debacle affect the way they approached the deciding game.

“Hindi kami nag-dwell sa nangyari. Pinaghandaan namin,” she said.

Faida Bakanke paced her squad with 16 points while Jean Asis chipped in 12 but FEU couldn’t muster anything miraculous on this one the way they did in Game 2 when they survived a championship point in snatching that game.