Golden Tigresses complete perfect championship run, capture first SCNI title

Tiger Scores365

A shaky start did little to derail University of Santo Tomas' championship aspirations.

After dropping the opening set, the Golden Tigresses unleashed the dominant form that carried them throughout the tournament, overpowering College of Saint Benilde, 22-25, 25-8, 25-12, 25-22, to capture their first-ever Shakey's Collegiate National Invitationals championship on Sunday at the FilOil Centre.

The triumph completed a perfect 7-0 campaign for UST, which improved from last year's third-place finish and added another title to the program's growing collection ahead of the upcoming UAAP season.

The Lady Blazers struck first by taking a tightly contested opening frame, but the momentum quickly shifted as the Golden Tigresses imposed their will with suffocating defense and relentless attacks. UST dominated the next two sets before surviving one last Benilde push in the fourth to close out the match in one hour and 55 minutes.

Team captain Regina Jurado and tournament MVP Angge Poyos once again delivered on the biggest stage.

Jurado poured in 21 points, highlighted by 18 attacks and two service aces, while Poyos finished with 20 points on 16 kills, two aces, and two blocks.

UST's frontcourt proved equally decisive, producing 14 kill blocks. Rookie Kim Rubin added 12 points, while Blessing Unekwe anchored the net defense with seven blocks and 10 points.

Benilde refused to fade quietly, slicing the deficit to 22-20 in the fourth after a Rubin attack error threatened to extend the match. The Golden Tigresses, however, stayed composed and finished with a 3-1 closing run to finally celebrate the championship.

Head coach Shaq Delos Santos said the key was getting his players to immediately move past the opening-set loss.

"Sinabi ko sa kanila na kalimutan na lang muna nila 'yung nangyari sa first set. Kilala ko naman sila maglaro. Alam naman namin kung ano ang kaya nilang gawin basta doon lang sila mag-focus sa investment namin," Delos Santos said. "May in-adjust lang kami ng kaunti sa team so at least kahit papaano 'yung sistema naa-adapt na. Good start ito."

Even with the title secured, Delos Santos insisted the championship is only the beginning of the team's preparation for the UAAP.

"Sobrang happy kasi alam naman namin na ang preparation namin medyo ang layo pa. Marami pa kaming kailangang trabahuhin. Good sign ito na nakakuha kami agad ng championship. Ito ang paghuhugutan namin to work hard pa lalo na pagdating ng UAAP."

Benilde, which reached the finals after sweeping Southern Storm Melbourne in the semifinals, was led by Camila Bartolome with 16 points, while Mary Grace Borromeo contributed 12.

Earlier in the day, Letran secured its second consecutive SCNI bronze medal by defeating Australian guest team Southern Storm Melbourne, 25-21, 18-25, 25-17, 25-23.

Reigning NCAA MVP Judiel Nitura starred with 19 attack points, including the match-winning crosscourt spike that ended Southern Storm's comeback bid in the fourth set.

Reeza Abayon added 12 points, Carly Nathalie Tizon chipped in seven, while setter Hizki Flores directed the offense with 11 excellent sets.

"It wasn't an easy game for us, of course. But we knew the opponent was a tough one for us because they have tall players and they're motivated to go home with a bronze medal," Letran coach Aleksi Lahteenmaki said.

"But I think this game is our best game in the whole tournament. We showed who we are."

Despite missing injured veterans Gia Maquillang and Vanessa Sarie, the Lady Knights stayed composed in the closing moments before Nitura delivered the decisive kill.

"Thankful pa rin kasi kahit papaano nalagpasan namin iyong kung ano meron sa team and siyempre more on work pa kasi medyo mga bata pa iyong mga kasama ko," Nitura said.

"And thankful din kami sa mga coaches na nag-guide sa amin kasi kung wala sila hindi rin talaga kami magwo-work as a team."

Southern Storm received 13 points each from Cleo Anastasias and Steph Baker but finished the tournament without a victory in its final four outings.

Flores earned Best Setter honors and was joined in the tournament's individual awards by Enderun's Althea Botor (Best Outside Hitter), Ho Chi Minh City VC's Le Thi Diem Phuong (Best Opposite), Benilde's Fiona Inocentes (Best Middle Blocker), and Southern Storm's Milla Smith (Best Libero).