University of Santo Tomas and University of Perpetual Help swept their foes to grab solo lead in their respective pools Saturday in the Shakeys’ Super League Collegiate Pre-season Championship at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
Young guns middle blocker Mary Joe Coronado and opposite Regina Jurado shone the brightest as the Tigresses ripped San Sebastian College, 25-16, 25-21, 25-18, for UST’s second straight win in as many outings in Pool B.
Coronado scored 12 points while Jurado hammered eight spikes on her way to a 10-point outing for the Tigresses, who snatched a fitting follow up to their five-set victory over Adamson University last week.
Elisha Apostol and Jonn Perdido got nine markers each for UST, which had the luxury of resting Eya Laure for most of the match.
Laure, who was the hero in UST’s opening day win, only played in the second set and had two points.
“We want our young players to step up because this tournament is about them, to build their confidence,” said Tigresses coach Kungfu Reyes.
“I just told them to execute our game plan which they did and we got the result we wanted,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Lady Altas shocked University of the East, 25-22, 27-25, 25-16, to remain unbeaten on top of the Pool A standings.
A huge comeback in the second set fueled Perpetual to complete the sweep and improve to a 2-0 slate while pulling the Lady Warriors to a 1-1 mark.
Down, 20-24, in the second frame, the Lady Altas saved four set points for a deuce before Janine Paduan landed an ace to give Perpetual a 25-24 advantage.
Janine Lana tied it at 25 but a Lia Pelaga service error followed by a Razel Aldea service winner allowed Perpetual to steal the set.
An energized Lady Altas side raced to a comfortable 18-9 lead in the third set to cruise to an easy win.
“We just showed we want it more,” Perpetual coach Sandy Rieta said. “This will at least give us the confidence and momentum when we face UP tomorrow. (Sunday)”
Shaila Omipon led the Lady Altas with 13 points while Rhose Dapol and Aldea added 10 markers each.
UE, which lost starter Dara Nieva to a left ankle sprain after landing on a Perpetual player’s foot early in the first set and played without Von Dimaculangan due to a knee injury, slipped to a 1-1 card.
Vanessa Bangayan paced the Lady Warriors with nine points.
The Lady Altas will stake their pristine record on Sunday when they take on debuting University of the Philippines at 10:00 a.m.
Meanwhile, SSC-R and Adamson University seek to barge into the win column in their 12:30 p.m. battle in Pool B followed by the 3:00 p.m. Pool A encounter between Mapua University and San Beda University.
Jose Rizal University and Arellano University will cross paths in the Pool C pairing scheduled at 5:30 p.m.
