The University of the Cordilleras halted a late surge from Saint Louis University to secure a 25-18, 25-18, 25-21 sweep in the Baguio – Benguet Educational Athletic League Season 36 women’s volleyball tournament at the UP Gym on Saturday.
Rovecielo Junio earned another Player of the Game honors, anchoring the UC offense with a game-high 17 points fueled by 14 attacks and three service aces after her Lady Jaguars took a three – set beating from defending champion Baguio College of Technology.
Lysa Basada provided a balanced secondary attack, contributing 11 points on nine kills, a block, and an ace.
While SLU opened the match with an early 5-1 lead, UC seized momentum with a dominant 14-2 run and maintained control until the closing frames.
The match nearly took a dramatic turn in the third set as SLU coach Gerald Peralta sought to replicate the program’s famous 2012 comeback.
Trailing 6-15, the Navigators mounted a fierce rally to pull within two points, bolstered by a nine-point service run.
However, the Lady Jaguars remained composed, as Kimberlie Quimaquim and Junio combined for the final points to extinguish the threat and seal the straight-sets win.
Brittney Dingcawat led SLU in the losing effort with 12 points.
The matchup highlighted the shifting tides of the league, as both former powerhouses seek to end significant championship droughts.
UC last hoisted the trophy in 2009, ending a six-year reign, while SLU—once the owner of a record eight-set streak—has been without a crown for 11 years. Roderick Osis