Marga Altea's Block Party Sends UST to V-League Finals

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Marga Altea turned the net into a no-fly zone, and the University of Santo Tomas rode her blocks to the first Finals berth of the 2026 V-League Collegiate Challenge. The Golden Tigresses swept Arellano University on Saturday, October 3.

UST dismantled the Lady Chiefs, 25–16, 25–21, 25–15, at the FilOil Centre in San Juan. Altea finished with 13 points, four of them off blocks, as the Tigresses shut down Arellano in crucial stretches.

Marga Altea contributed 13 points, including four blocks, as UST shut down Arellano University in the V-League semifinals. [PVL Images]

UST vs. Arellano: Tigresses Wall Off the Lady Chiefs in V-League Semifinals

The Tigresses started slowly but found their footing in the opening set. A 1–2 play from setter Cassie Carballo and a down-the-line kill from Altea built five-point leads, which UST used to take the frame.

Arellano pushed back in the second set behind kills from Cris Servidad and Catherine Chu, aided by UST errors. Altea, Angge Poyos and Reg Jurado then steadied the Tigresses, who never looked back on the way to a 2–0 lead.

Carballo’s net kill made it 8–2 in the third set, and Zinny Unekwe also held firm at the net. Altea then scored three straight midway through, off a block and two putaways, for a 16–9 cushion that UST carried to the sweep.

Reg Jurado and Coach Shaq Delos Santos Set the Tone for the V-League Finals

Jurado, the team captain, anchored UST on both ends with 19 points off 16 attacks, one block and two service aces, plus five digs. Poyos added 13 points, three from the service line, while Altea logged eight excellent receptions.

Head coach Shaq Delos Santos admitted the Tigresses were “shaky” throughout the eliminations, but said the win was a “good sign siya na may future ‘yung team.” He added that the players must bring the “tapang, sipag” and dedication in the Finals.

UST will face the winner of the semifinal between the Adamson University Lady Falcons and the University of the East Lady Warriors. Game 1 of the best-of-three Finals is set for Wednesday, Oct. 7, at the FilOil Centre.

Arellano, which got off to a 5–0 start, had no player in double figures. Keisha Abitria led the Lady Chiefs with nine points off the bench, while Servidad had seven and Chu four.

The Lady Chiefs will try to save their season in the bronze medal match, also on Wednesday, against the loser of the Adamson–UE series. UST, meanwhile, awaits its Finals opponent.