UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas (UST) Golden Tigresses returned to their winning ways with a 25-21, 25-19, 25-19 sweep over Colegio de San Juan de Letran Lady Knights in the 2026 V-League Collegiate Challenge on Sunday at Gameville Central Park in Mandaluyong City.
Rookie libero Niña Robles posted 10 excellent digs to earn Player of the Game honors as the Golden Tigresses improved to a 3-2 mark, strengthening their bid for a semifinals berth.
“Syempre una masaya kasi nanalo kami. To be honest, I think siguro ‘yung gusto namin is mas mapaganda pa ‘yung nilalaro namin, mag-improve pa para sa mga susunod pa naming laro,” UST coach Shaq delos Santos said.
UST controlled the match with a 41-33 advantage in attacks, an 8-1 edge in blocks and a 6-5 lead in service aces.
Ashlee Knop led the Golden Tigresses with 14 points from 13 attacks and one ace. Kimberly Rubin added eight points, while Marga Altea and Erica Gutierrez contributed seven and six, respectively.
Judiel Nitura led Letran with 11 points, while Carlyn Tizon had 10. The Lady Knights remained winless at 0-5 and were eliminated from semifinals contention.
Meanwhile, University of the East (UE) Lady Warriors overcame a late deficit in the deciding set to defeat University of Perpetual Help Lady Altas, 22-25, 25-22, 25-17, 23-25, 15-12, and snap a three-game losing streak.
The Lady Warriors trailed, 8-12, in the fifth set after Perpetual forced the decider by taking the fourth frame. UE then mounted a decisive 7-0 closing run, with Janessa Buhay and Van Bangayan spearheading the comeback.
Bangayan delivered three points during the finishing surge, while Buhay added three more as the Lady Warriors turned the match around and secured a crucial victory.
Bangayan erupted for 33 points on 31 attacks, one block and one ace. Buhay produced 20 points from 13 attacks, six aces and one block, while also recording 16 excellent receptions and seven excellent digs. They tied Lady Altas with a 2-3 mark. (Adrian Co)
