By ADRIAN STEWART CO

The University of Santo Tomas (UST) Junior Golden Tigresses ruled the PNVF U-18 Girls Championships after a 25-17, 17-25, 25-20, 25-23 beating of the Nazareth School of National University Lady Bullpups at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum on Sunday, April 28.

Kimberly Chelmei Ibanez Rubin spearheaded the offense with 24 points, built on 18 attacks and six service aces, to earn Player of the Game honors in the gold medal match.

Rubin, a native of Negros Occidental’s La Carlota City, admitted that they were challenged by the Lady Bullpups, especially in the second and fourth sets, where they clawed back from an early deficit to clinch the championship.

“Thankful kami kahit na nahirapan kami talaga, pero nandun ‘yung pagko-compose namin sa isa’t isa, pagtutulungan po, and gumagaling din kami sa sistema na meron kami,” Rubin said.

Rubin, who was named as the tournament’s Most Valuable Player and Best Outside Hitter, added that she has slowly adapted to the system of UST head coach Emilio “Kung Fu” Reyes.

“Thankful po ako na ang system ni coach Kung Fu dito sa UST ay nag-work sa akin. Hopefully, ma-improve ko pa siya,” said Rubin, who spent her previous years with the Bacolod Tay Tung High School Thunderbolts and Our Lady of Pilar Academy.

It was a remarkable campaign for the Junior Golden Tigresses, as they swept their four group stage matches before beating the Canossa Academy in the quarterfinals and the Kings’ Montessori School in the semifinals.

Meanwhile, the Kings’ Montessori School defeated De La Salle-Lipa, 25-19, 25-18, 25-14, to capture the bronze medal finish in the women’s division.

Kriska Gindap and Paula Palma played key roles for Kings’ Montessori, which disposed of their opponents in only 87 minutes.

Pangasinan squad Umingan bagged the boys division crown after a 25-23, 23-25, 23-25, 25-17, 16-14 victory over VNS X Savogue.

Canossa Academy bagged the bronze medal after beating the Kings’ Montessori School./ASC, WDJ