UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas and Letran pulled off contrasting wins yesterday as action got going in the 2024 V-League Collegiate Challenge at the Paco Arena.
The Golden Tigresses, runners-up in UAAP season 86, prevailed over the Lady Pirates of Lyceum 25-22, 23-25, 25-20, 25-17 while the Lady Knights battled back from two sets down to outlast the Lady Fighting Maroons of UP.
Outside hitters Angge Poyos and Jonna Perdido banged out double-doubles for UST, with the former dishing out 16 points, 13 excellent receptions, and eight digs while the latter had 16 markers and 10 digs.
Also sizzling for the Golden Tigresses in the two-hour match were Regina Jurado and incoming rookie Margaret Altea who had 13 points apiece.
“Sa second set, halos puro rookies iyong naglaro. Ang gusto lang naming makita is paano sila magre-react to different scenarios, paano iyong adjustment, iyong judgment, those things, iyon iyong tinitingnan namin kasi skills-wise andiyan naman na ang skills. More on decision-making, pati iyong adaptability,” UST coach Kungfu Reyes said.
Open spiker Johna Dolorito paced the Lady Pirates with 15 markers and eight digs, while Janeth Tulang and Heart Bio chipped in 11 and 10 points, respectively.
Sophomore spiker Gia Maquilang led the scoring load for Letran, the NCAA runner-up, nearly completing a triple-double with 16 points, 12 digs and nine excellent receptions while Angelique Ledesma and Nizelle Martin added 13 and 12 markers, respectively.
Veteran Nina Ytang and Kassandra Doering paced the Fighting Maroons with 11 points each.
