UST nears V-League finals

University of Santo Tomas (UST) inched closer to the finals after making short work of Arellano University, 25-12, 25-18, 25-13, in Game 1 of their 2026 V-League Collegiate Challenge best-of-three semifinal series on Wednesday at the FilOil EcoOil Center in San Juan.

Already up by two sets, the third-seeded Golden Tigresses stepped on the gas in the third, racing to a 20–9 lead behind captain Reg Jurado’s service ace.

Ash Knop scored on two kills, Zinny Unekwe served another ace, and Ella Gutierrez finished with a cross-court spike as the Golden Tigresses completed the sweep in just over an hour.

“I’d say our performance percentage is improving. And of course, in terms of adapting to our system, they are slowly understanding what we want to execute. Everything we saw out there today is really a result of what we invested in training,” said UST coach Shaq delos Santos, whose wards will go for the kill in Game 2 on Saturday at the same venue.

Angge Poyos led the way on both ends with 19 points from 16 attacks and three aces, to go with nine digs, while Marga Altea added 15 markers, including three blocks.

Jurado also posted a double-double of 11 points and 13 digs, while Unekwe chipped in five points off the bench.

UST pounced on Arellano’s reception woes early, steadily building a commanding cushion in the opening set, with Unekwe making her presence felt at the net.

Poyos’ booming kill restored UST’s eight-point, 18-10 advantage before her ace stretched the lead to double digits at 21-11, eventually allowing the Golden Tigresses to take the opening set.

Arellano managed to address its passing problems in the second set to keep the game close, but UST made the necessary defensive adjustments to pull away and take a 2-0 lead.