University of Santo Tomas vented its ire on Letran for a mighty 25-16, 22-25, 25-23, 25-17, bounce back win in Pool C of the 2025 Shakey’s Super League (SSL) Preseason Unity Cup Sunday at the Playtime FilOil Centre in San Juan.
Xyza Gula led two other Tigresses in double-figure scoring with 16 points from 14 kills, one ace and a kill block as UST recovered from a sorry five-set setback to University of the Philippines last week.
The Tigresses weathered a fourth set scare by the feisty Lady Knights with a scorching 10-2 finishing kick to barge into the win column of the centerpiece tournament of the league, backed by Shakey’s Pizza Parlor, Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, Potato Corner and R and B Milk Tea.
Marga Altea added 12 markers while Julia Balingit added 11 in UST’s balanced offense. Mary Joe Coronado had nine points while Denise Bron and Kyla Cordora chipped in with six each for the Tigresses.
“Nag-start kami sa training since ‘yung last game nga namin, ‘yun ang nagkulang sa amin, ‘yung composure, especially in the fifth set. ‘Yun ang pinag-practice namin the whole week. Lumalabas naman ng paunti-unti so more pa po,” said Altea, who had six attacks, four kill blocks and two aces.
A Cordora hit shattered a 15-15 deadlock in the fourth set, sparking an 8-1 run capped by a Gula off the block hit for a comfortable 23-16 lead.
Leonilyn Padilla stopped Letran’s bleeding before Gula sealed the win with back-to-back hits.
“Inayos lang namin ang composure namin kasi knowing ‘yung team namin na kapag nalalamangan may chances na nahahabol ng kalaban. ‘Yun ang biggest challenge namin. Gaya kanina na nag-tie na (sa fourth set), dapat kapag ganun mas maging strong pa kami at mas maging composed pa,” Altea added.
Judiel Nitura was the lone bright spot for the Lady Knights after scoring 15 points.
Verenicce Colendra and Maquillang had nine and seven points, respectively, in Letran’s opening day loss in the competition, supported by Asics, Mikasa, Smart Sports, Summit, Team Rebel Sports, Belo Deo, Eurotel- Apo View Hotel, Batangas Country Club, Executive Optical, Baic Auto Philippines, SM Tickets and PusoP.com as technical partners.
Games in the SSL Preseason Unity Cup are available live and on demand via PusoP.com and Solar Sports.
Games on October 3 (Paco Arena)
12 noon –– CSB vs SSC-R
2 p.m. — San Beda vs LPU
4 p.m. — Mapua vs Letran
