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

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

MANILA, Philippines — Less than 24 hours after winning the V-League crown, University of Santo Tomas overcame a second-set hiccup to beat Lyceum, 25-16, 28-30, 25-17, 25-14, and open its Shakey’s Super League (SSL) Collegiate Pre-season Championship campaign on a high note on Saturday at Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

The Tigresses, who claimed their first major championship in 14 in the V-League Collegiate Challenge Friday night, began another title campaign in the SSL–a tournament where they finished runners-up last year.

Reg Jurado showed no signs of fatigue with 16 points on 14 kills and two blocks in UST’s victory in Pool B.

READ: UST Tigresses outlast FEU to win V-League crown

Jonna Perdido and Angge Poyos chipped in 13 and 11 points, respectively, as the Tigresses outspiked the Lady Pirates, 65-37.

UST, which overcame 33 errors, will play its third straight game on Sunday against Mapua at 1 p.m.

Lyceum dropped to a 1-2 card with Johna Dolorito and Joann De Guzman having eight and seven points, respectively.

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

Meanwhile, the University of the East earned its third straight win in Pool B after dominating Mapua, 25-14, 25-20, 25-20, inching closer to a ticket to the next round.

Riza Nogales led the Lady Warriors with 11 points from nine kills, one ace, and one block. Jelai Gajero and Yesha Rojo had eight points each to fill in the void left by Casiey Dongallo, who had to skip the match to undergo a platelet-rich plasma injection in her right arm. 

“People stepped up with Casiey out. Our first six and second six soring-wise we did well. Set-wise we won three straight but I feel like we still have a lot more skills to stretch, to work with and improve,” UE deputy coach Doc Obet Vital said.  

UE and UST clash on October 13.

Alyanna Ong and Nadine Berces finished with six points each to pace the Lady Cardinals, who slid to a 0-2 card.

In Pool C, the University of the Philippines (1-1) entered the win column as Kassandra Doering nailed seven blocks to finish with 16 points in their 17-25, 25-18, 25-18, 25-23 win over Letran (1-1).