Another Negrense spiker is making a name in the national arena as she steered the University of Santo Tomas Junior Golden Tigresses to claim the PNVF U-18 Girls Championships at the expense of the Nazareth School of National University Lady Bullpups, 25-17, 17-25, 25-20, 25-23 at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
Playing like a well-oiled machine, Kimberly Chelmei Ibanez Rubin spearheaded the offense of the winning squad after amassing 24 points built on 18 attacks and six service aces.
The native of La Carlota City, Negros Occidental was hailed Player of the Game during the scintillating finals clash.
It was a hard-earned victory for the Lady Bullpups, especially in the second set and in the fourth set, where they crawled back from an early deficit to clinch the championship.
“Thankful kami kahit na nahirapan kami talaga, pero nandun ‘yung pagco-compose namin sa isa’t-isa, pagtutulungan po, and gumagaling din kami sa sistema na meron kami,” Rubin said.
Rubin, who was named as the tournament’s Most Valuable Player and Best Outside Hitter, added that she has slowly adapted to the system of UST head coach Emilio “Kung Fu” Reyes.
Rubin, a former standout of Bacolod Tay Tung High School Thunderbolts and Our Lady of Pilar Academy also said that it was a remarkable campaign for the Junior Golden Tigresses as they swept their four group stage matches before beating the Canossa Academy in the quarterfinals and the Kings’ Montessori School in the semifinals.
The Kings’ Montessori School, meanwhile, defeated De La Salle-Lipa, 25-19, 25-18, 25-14, to capture the bronze medal finish in the women’s division.IMT Sports
