The UST Golden Tigresses completed a three-set thrashing over the UP Fighting Maroons, 25-15, 25-14, 25-23, at the V-League Women's Collegiate Challenge on Wednesday, Sept. 11 at the Paco Arena.

Racking up their fifth straight win in the tournament, the Tigresses become the first team to clinch a spot in the semi-finals.

Reg Jurado was named player of the game, racking up seven points on six attacks, and a block while main gunner Angge Poyos mustered up 15 points on 13 attacks, a block, and a service ace.

Setter Cassie Carballo also provided 12 excellent sets along with four points on two attacks, and two service aces.

UST immediately went on the prowl in the opening set, capitalizing on several attack and service errors that saw them charge ahead by three at the second technical timeout, 16-13.

A block from Em Banagua and an attack error from Fighting Maroon Yesha Noceja quickly gave the Golden Tigresses a one-set advantage, 25-15.

Momentum continued to sway in the way of the España-based squad who left the Fighting Maroons in the dust with a dominating 12-1 run ignited by an attack from Banagua that saw them up by 10 at the 20-point mark, 20-10.

With the Diliman-based squad seemingly lost in the mix, an attack error from UP skipper Nica Celis and a swift strike from Angge Poyos saw the Tigresses go up by two sets to none, 25-14.

The Fighting Maroons came alive early in the third, with Niña Ytang leading the charge, scoring three straight blocks early in the salvo to put UP ahead, 14-9.

The Golden Tigresses, however, bounced back after the end of the second technical timeout after combined efforts from rookies Stephanie Arasan and Kaizah Huyno along with Poyos saw UST pounce back ahead, 23-21.

An attack error from UP’s Jenn Gould followed by a one-two combination play from Cassie Carballo, gave the Tigresses their fifth win of the tournament, 25-23.

Rookie Kianne Olango took charge of UP’s offense with eight points while Niña Ytang finished with seven markers on four attacks, and three blocks in the losing effort.

With the win, the Tigresses are now at 5-0 and will have the chance to secure a sweep in the elimination round as they square up against the Colegio de San Juan de Letran on Friday, Sept. 13 at the same venue.