UST showing no signs of fatigue, dumps Mapua in Super League

UST Tigresses celebrate during a win over Lyceum in the Shakey’s Super League.–SSL PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Playing its third straight game, University of Santo Tomas continued to roll as it breezed past Mapua, 25-18, 25-17, 25-20, for a second consecutive win in Pool B of the 2024 Shakey’s Super League Collegiate Pre-season Championship on Sunday at Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

Other than a little challenge to close out the third set, the Golden Tigresses had a cakewalk to stay unbeaten and keep hold of the second spot behind pool leader University of the East (3-0).  

Kyla Cordora led UST’s balanced scoring in the 83-minute clash with nine points, all from kills including the match-clinching hammer to halt the Lady Cardinals’ late rally.

READ: Fresh off V-League title, UST wins Super League opener

“Nag-enjoy lang kami sa game. Naglaro kami na relax nu’ng first set, we just played our game and dinahan-dahan lang namin,” Cordora said.

Xyza Gula chipped in with eight points and Margaret Altea had seven. Jona Perdido and Regina Jurado added six each in the Tigresses’ strong follow-up to a victory over Lyceum on Saturday in their debut outing in the tournament and a championship game in the V-League last Friday.

Bianca Plaza put UST at match point, 24-17, on a quick attack but Mapua refused to go down without a fight as it answered with three straight points before Cordora closed it out.  

UST will try to extend its winning streak to three on Friday against University of Perpetual Help at 6 p.m. before the much-anticipated showdown against UAAP rival UE on October 13.

READ: UST Tigresses finally taste championship with V-League win

The Lady Cardinals, led by Alyanna Ong’s eight points, remained winless in three starts.

Meanwhile, V-League runner-up Far Eastern University took down NCAA champion College of Saint Benilde, 25-17, 22-25, 25-16, 25-19, for a 2-0 lead in Pool D.

FEU’s frontline dominated St. Benilde as Clarisse Loresco delivered 18 points off 15 attacks, two aces, and a block, while transferee Jazlyn Ellarina had 16 points including two blocks.

Also in Pool D, prized rookie Shaina Nitura made a rousing debut for Adamson with 17 points to register their first win and send San Sebastian to its third straight loss, 25-23, 25-11, 25-15.

Nitura nailed 16 kills and an ace on Adamson’s SSL debut. Frances Mordi chipped in 10 points, while Barbie Jamili added four spikes.