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Young UST team stays alive at SSL National Invitational, while Benilde edges out Letland in five-set NCAA women’s volleyball final
MANILA, Philippines — The UST Golden Tigers earned revenge after a tough first-day loss, and the Saint Benilde women’s team showed what they can do in the 2024 Shakey’s Super League (SSL) National Invitational Tournament.
UST, the women’s volleyball runner-up in the UAAP Season 86, this time fielded a team composed of rookies to defeat Soccsksargen 25-17, 25-18, 28-30, 25-14 in a hard-fought four-set match in Group B on Thursday, July 11, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila, to make it 1-1.
Off-spinner Margaret Altea scored 17 points with 11 digs, five blocks and one serve to lead the Tigers to recover from a tough first-day loss to University of Batangas.
Meanwhile, in the rematch of the 99th NCAA season finals, the University of Saint Benilde held off the tight pursuit of Letland and won in five games with a score of 18-25, 25-20, 25-27, 25-20, 15-13.
Wielyn Estoque scored 26 points, 23 of which came on offense, to help the Lady Pioneers to their first win in Group D.
Zamantha Nolasco also added 17 points and four blocks for the defending NCAA champions.
Clydel Katarige’s timely attack brought the Lady Pioneers closer to victory with a score of 14-11 in the deciding game and ultimately sealed the win.
“We are happy that even though we had a lot of mistakes and struggles on the court, we still won the game,” Estoque said in Filipino during the post-match interview.
“I always think about contributing to the team,” she added.
After a sluggish first-game performance, Estoque and Nolasco powered the Lady Pioneers with diagonal smashes in the second game, defeating Letland 24-19 and tying the game.
Martin Nizel-Ayreen topped the scoring charts for Letland with 16 points, while Angelica Ledesma added 11 points and three blocks in the heartbreaking loss.
Meanwhile, Janelle Maignos scored maximum points for Soccskargen against UST with 16 points in 14 attacks and two service points, but the team still lost in the end.
In Group C, the University of Southern Philippines Foundation Lady Panthers defeated the NCAA bronze medalists LPU Lady Pirates in four sets, 25-19, 17-25, 25-23, 25-19, with Recel Pedrosa scoring 15 points.
Enderun College also won three straight games, 25-12, 25-21, 25-18, defeating Xavier University to claim its first win in Group A.
Another four-match series will be held on Friday, July 12 to determine which teams will advance to the quarterfinals.
Both FEU and NU are looking to punch their ticket to the quarterfinals, with the Lady Tamaraws taking on LPU at 9 a.m. and the Lady Bulldogs taking on Xavier University at 12 p.m.
The University of Batangas will aim to eliminate Soccskargen at 2 p.m., while the University of San Carlos will battle CSB for the championship at 4 p.m. – Niño Dominic Ronquillo and Eugero Vincent Liberato/Rappler.com
Niño Dominic Ronquillo and Ugero Vincent Liberato I am an intern at Rappler.
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