By ADRIAN STEWART CO

The University of Santo Tomas (UST) Golden Tigresses drew first blood in the V-League Women’s Collegiate Challenge finals after a 25-22, 25-18, 25-14 Game 1 victory over the Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.

Negrense Cassie Carballo displayed her efficient ball distribution to end up with 15 excellent sets as the Golden Tigresses took a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three championship series.

Angeline Poyos powered the Golden Tigresses with a game-high 15 points, all from attacks, Regina Jurado contributed 11 markers, while Jonna Perdido chipped in 10 points.

The Golden Tigresses, aiming for their first V-League crown since 2010, bucked a shaky start then controlled every aspect of the game the rest of the way to the dismay and disappointment of the Lady Tamaraws.

“Talagang ine-ensayo namin ‘yang ganyang skills. ‘Yung defense pattern namin, nako-compensate namin sa atake,” Golden Tigresses mentor Emilio “Kung Fu” Reyes said in a post-game presser.

“Hindi kami ganoong katangkaran pero marunong naman kaming pumalo. Well-compensated na kapag na-rebound namin ‘yung bola, for sure aatakihin namin ‘yung last action namin,” he added.

The Golden Tigresses will go for a sweep of their best-of-three championship series against the Lady Tamaraws at the same venue in Pasig City on Wednesday, October 2, at 5:00 p.m.

Middle blocker Jean Asis added nine points, and Gerzel Petallo contributed eight markers for the Lady Tamaraws.

Meanwhile, the FEU Tamaraws overcame a third-set stumble to defeat the De La Salle University Green Spikers, 25-22, 25-20, 18-25, 25-19, in Game 1 of the V-League Men’s Collegiate finals.

Dryx Saavedra was adjudged Player of the Game after tallying 19 points, built on 16 attacks and three blocks, to go with three excellent digs as the Tamaraws took a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series./ASC, WDJ