UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas survived a tough challenge from University of the East, 24-26, 25-17, 25-23, 20-25, 15-5, to return to the win column in the 2026 V-League Collegiate Challenge on Saturday at Gameville Central Park in Mandaluyong City.
The Golden Tigresses took control early in the deciding set and built an 8-2 advantage before pulling away to close out the two-hour, nine-minute marathon.
Incoming junior Marga Altea provided the spark for UST in the fifth set, scoring six points to outscore the entire UE lineup, which managed five.
Altea’s service ace gave UST a 13-4 cushion before Ash Knop, who replaced Julia Balingit, delivered the match-clinching point.
Coach Shaq Delos Santos credited her young squad for recovering after UE forced a deciding set, particularly with veteran players Reg Jurado and Angge Poyos unavailable.
“Good thing iyung naka-recover sila. Sabi ko nga sa kanila, kung ano iyung mga nangyari nung first four sets, kalimutan na iyan. Good thing naging ganito iyung response nila,” Delos Santos said.
Altea narrowly missed a triple-double, finishing with 21 points on 16 kills, two blocks and three aces. She also recorded 12 excellent receptions and nine digs.
The victory came at a cost for UST, however, as Balingit suffered a right ankle injury during the fourth set. She still managed to finish with 19 points.
Team captain Cassie Carballo also played a key role in the five-set battle, producing 30 excellent sets as they improved to a 2-1 mark.
UE, meanwhile, dropped to 1-2 despite 18 points from Van Bangayan and 15 from Janessa Buhay. (Adrian Co)
