University of Sto. Tomas grabbed the solo lead after dispatching University of the East in four sets, 25-14, 25-19, 24-26, 25-19 in the V-League Men’s Collegiate Challenge on Sunday at the Paco Arena in Manila.
The Golden Tigresses overcame a hiccup in the third set to fend off the Lady Warriors and grab the early lead in the women’s tourney with a 2-0 record.
“Syempre maganda kasi nanalo kami. Magandang experience para sa mga rookies, pero ayun nga, nakikita pa rin namin ‘yung mga sakit, mga on-off ng player. But still, it’s a good game – big game para sa amin kasi grabe ‘yung depensa ng UE,” said UST head coach Kungfu Reyes.
Stephanie Bien Arasan and Regina Jurado took the lead for the Golden Tigresses, finishing with 12 points each as the team capped off the two-hour, eight-minute outing with a big performance in the fourth set.
UST had the chance to close it out in the third but Khy Cepada scored three consecutive points for UE in the extended frame to send the game to a fourth.
It was a total team effort for the side of the Golden Tigresses, which also drew contributions from Angge Poyos with nine points and Francine Osis, Jonna Perdido, and Em Banagua with eight apiece.
Cepada paced UE with 17 points and 11 excellent digs, while Jenalyn Umayam and Kayce Balingit chipped in 13 and 11, respectively.
(C) V-League Images
Earlier, Far Eastern University vented its ire on College of St. Benilde with a 25-16, 25-14, 25-22 sweep.
The Lady Tamaraws, who are coming off a five-set defeat at the hands of the UP Fighting Maroons, hardly broke a sweat as they overpowered the Lady Blazers to pick up their first win in the tournament for a 1-1 card.
“Good game kasi ‘yun naman ‘yung objective, ang manalo. Tapos ayun, maayos naman ‘yung [pinakita] ng core group, kaso nga lang marami pang kailangan ayusin talaga,” said FEU head coach Manolo Refugia.
Congolese winger Faida Bakanke posted a game-high 12 points, with 11 coming from attacks, to take charge in the Lady Tamaraws’ swift, one hour and 16-minute dissection of the champion NCAA squad.
Jean Asis contributed 11 points, four of which came from blocks, while Gerzel Petallo and Clarisse Loresco added nine and seven points, respectively, in the victory.
Team captain and playmaker Tin Ubaldo tossed 16 excellent sets to go along with three markers for FEU.
Rhea Densing led the 0-2 Lady Blazers in scoring with seven points, while Zamantha Nolasco and Wielyn Estoque each had six points.
