UST Tigresses against Team Soccsksargen in the Shakey’s Super League (SSL) National Invitationals.
MANILA, Philippines — University of Santo Tomas vented its ire on Team Soccsksargen, 25-17, 25-18, 28-30, 25-14 win to keep its quarterfinal hopes alive in Pool B of the 2024 Shakey’s Super League (SSL) National Invitationals on Thursday at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The Tigresses bounced back from a 16-25, 26-28, 25-17, 25-17, 16-18 loss to the University of Batangas less than 24 hours ago, once again banking on rookie Marga Altea, who poured in 17 points for the second straight game.
READ: UAAP finalists NU, UST off to contrasting starts in Super League
Altea, whose 17-point debut went for naught, played through a jumper’s knee injury and scattered 11 kills, five kill blocks, and an ace for the Tigresses, who didn’t field Detdet Pepito, Angge Poyos, Cassie Carballo, Reg Jurado, and Jonna Perdido.
We still have a lot to improve, especially our communication. As a new team, it’s very hard for all of us because we come from different schools and regions. Only five of us are from the core UST girls volleyball team, so it’s really hard to bring us all together,” “Altea said,
“But we’re finding ways to make it work, and I hope it continues like this.”
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Abigail Sinson also stepped up with 13 points as her ace gave UST a commanding 21-12 lead in the fourth and never looked back. Kaizah Huyno fired four aces to finish with 11 markers for the UAAP runner-up, which won bronze in last year’s National Invitationals.
Team Soccsksargen, a selection squad from Southern Mindanao, got 16 points from Janelle Maignos, while Tresha Parong and Shendy Acebo scored seven and six points, respectively.
St. Benilde escapes Letran
In the NCAA finals rematch, College of Saint Benilde banked on Wewe Estoque’s 26-point explosion to stave off Letran in five sets, 25-18, 20-25, 27-25, 20-25, 15-13.
The Lady Blazers, who ushered in a new era without Gayle Pascual and Cloanne Mondoñedo, started their Pool D campaign with a close win against their NCAA rivals, who slid to a 1-1 record in their group.
St. Benilde tries to seal a quarterfinal berth against University of San Carlos (0-1) on Friday at 4 p.m.
Meanwhile, the University of Southern Philippines Foundation stunned NCAA Season 99 third placer Lyceum, 25-19, 17-25, 25-23, 25-19, in Pool C.
Ressel Pedroza led the reigning CESAFI champion with 15 points to bounce back from a 13-25, 15-25, 17-25 loss to Far Eastern University to close the group stage with a 1-1 slate.
The Lady Panthers will secure a quarters seat if the Lady Tamaraws beat the Lady Pirates also on Friday at 9 a.m.
Enderun Colleges rebounded from a tough Pool A opening loss to National University after Zenneth Perolino drilled six blocks to finish with 14 points and sweep Xavier University,25-12, 25-21, 25-18.
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Erika Deloria also stepped up for Enderun with 14 points highlighted by four aces, while Shane Carmona chipped in 10 points to improve to a 1-1 record in their group.