University of Santo Tomas regained its winning form after escaping fellow UAAP side University of the East, 24–26, 25–17, 25–23, 20–25, 15–5, in the preliminary round of the 2026 V-League Collegiate Challenge on Saturday at Gameville Central Park in Mandaluyong City.
After losing its grip on the match in the fourth set, the Golden Tigresses stormed to an 8–2 lead in the decider and never looked back, with incoming junior Marga Altea steering the squad.
The former UST High School captain outscored the entire UE team in the fifth set, 6–5, with her final point coming on a service ace that gave UST a 13–4 lead.
Ash Knop, who came on for Julia Balingit, eventually finished off the longest match of the day after two hours and nine minutes, sending UST to a bounce-back victory.
“Good thing yung naka-recover sila. Sabi ko nga sa kanila, kung ano yung mga nangyari nung first four sets, kalimutan na yan. Good thing naging ganito yung response nila,” said Shaq Delos Santos on how her young squad responded without seniors Reg Jurado and Angge Poyos, who both sat out the game.
Altea flirted with a triple-double after finishing with 21 points on 16 kills, two blocks, and three service aces, while also tallying 12 excellent receptions and nine digs.
It was a bittersweet victory for UST, however, as Balingit went down with a right ankle injury in the fourth set. The Filipino-Japanese winger finished with 19 points.
Cassie Carballo, who served as team captain, delivered 30 excellent sets in the marathon match.
UST improved to 2–1 and will go for back-to-back wins against University of Perpetual Help System DALTA (1–2) in their rescheduled match on Wednesday at noon.
Van Bangayan rose to the occasion for the Lady Warriors with 18 points, but her effort, along with Janessa Buhay’s 15, was not enough as UE slipped to 1–2.
UE will try to bounce back against San Beda University (0–2) in the preceding match at 10 a.m.
Meanwhile, Arellano University continued its dominant run, adding NCAA rival University of Perpetual Help to its growing list of victims with a 25–19, 25–16, 25–18 sweep in the other women’s match on Saturday.
The Lady Chiefs moved closer to securing a playoff berth with their fourth straight victory, which they wrapped up in just an hour and 10 minutes behind a collective team effort.
“Yung preparation rin kasi namin. Tini-treat namin yung every game na last game na namin o parang championship na,” said seasoned head coach Obet Javier.
“Thankful rin kami sa liga na to kasi nakikita namin yung pinaghihirapan ng players. And at the same time, nababalok namin ‘yung support na binibigay ng admin sa ‘min,” the multi-titled mentor added.
Heart Villaflores led the Lady Chiefs’ balanced offense, which dominated the attacking department, 42–26. The outside hitter produced 16 kills, while fellow winger Cris Servidad added 11.
Kacelyn Punzalan was also solid at the middle and from the service line, contributing five blocks and three service aces to go with six spikes for a total of 14 points.
Arellano will try to secure one of the tickets to the semifinals when it faces fellow undefeated side Adamson University Lady Falcons (3–0) next week, September 12, at 10 a.m.
No Perpetualite reached double figures, with Cyrille Almeñiana and Jem Menor both limited to six points each.
The Lady Altas (1–2) will try to return to the win column against the University of the East Lady Warriors (1–2) on Sunday, September 13, at 12 noon.
