The Golden Tigresses are rolling, and Arellano University had no answer. University of Santo Tomas (UST) swept the Lady Chiefs in Game 1 of the 2026 V-League Collegiate Challenge semifinals, 25-12, 25-18, 25-13, on Wednesday at the Playtime FilOil Centre.

UST is now one win from the Finals. The Golden Tigresses will try to secure a place there on Saturday at 3 p.m.

UST Golden Tigresses Dominate Arellano Lady Chiefs in V-League Semifinals

UST took advantage of Arellano’s early reception problems and built a big lead in the opening set, with Zinny Unekwe active at the net. A kill from Angge Poyos restored an eight-point, 18-10 lead, and her ace stretched it to 21-11.

Arellano cleaned up its passing in the second set and stayed close. UST adjusted on defense, though, and pulled away to take a 2-0 lead.

Up 2-0, the Golden Tigresses raced to a 20-9 lead in the third behind a service ace from captain Reg Jurado. Ash Knop added two kills, and Unekwe served another ace.

Ella Gutierrez finished with a cross-court spike as UST completed the sweep in just over an hour. The result put the third-seeded Golden Tigresses one win from the Finals. Head coach Shaq Delos Santos explained how UST got the win.

“Siguro ‘yung percentage ng performance namin is nagiging good, tumataas. And siyempre ‘yung pag-adapt nila sa system, slowly naiintindihan nila ‘yung gusto naming mangyari. Lahat ng nakita natin kanina, talagang in-invest namin ‘yan sa training,” he said.

Angge Poyos and Marga Altea Lead Balanced UST Attack as Arellano Struggles

Poyos paced UST with 19 points on 16 attacks and three aces, and she added nine digs. Marga Altea contributed 15 points, including three blocks.

Jurado also recorded a double-double with 11 points and 13 digs. Unekwe added five points off the bench.

No Arellano player reached double figures. Princess Al-ag led the Lady Chiefs with seven points.

Catherine Chu was limited to five points, and Cris Servidad to four. The Lady Chiefs will try to bounce back and extend the series in Game 2.