NU, UP prevail in V-League Women’s Collegiate Challenge

MANILA: National University and University of the Philippines Diliman scored similar victories in the 2024 V-League Women's Collegiate Challenge at the Paco Arena in Manila on Wednesday. The Lady Bulldogs overcame a third-set defeat to conquer the Letran Lady Knights, 25-23, 25-21, 23-25, 25-11. Natashaza Kaye Bombita finished with 14 attacks, three aces and two blocks for NU, which needed two hours and eight minutes to prevail. Myrtle Escanlar had 16 points on 14 points and two blocks, while Celine Elizabeth Marsch chipped in 10 points. Gia Marcel Maquilang led Letran with 15 points on 13 attacks and two aces, while Marie Judiel Nitura contributed 10 attacks and three blocks. "We still need the maturity, especially the rookies, they are not much-exposed players so this win, it's a big boost for the team and in their confidence," said NU assistant coach Karl Dimaculangan after the match. "I reminded them that they have to keep their confidence. Good thing they responded and we got the fourth set," expla ined Dimaculangan regarding their loss in the third set. NU's next game will be against University of the East. Meanwhile, Nica Celis and Kassandra Doering spearheaded UP's attack in the decisive fourth set to beat Lyceum of the Philippines University, 25-16, 25-23, 15-25, 25-20. 'It's a positive note for us because, as you know, 70 percent of the UP lineup this year are rookies. We're happy that most of the rookies are delivering. We can use some of the rookies, but what we need is consistency and maturity,' said UP head coach Oliver Almadro. 'There's a tendency to relax or maintain a certain level, but I'm really challenging them that every game, every point, every set, the level should be going up every time. It's still a learning process,' he added. Nina Ytang paced the Lady Maroons with 16 points, including 12 on attacks and four blocks. Kassandra Doering added 14 points, while Irah Jaboneta had 10 points. Heart Bio scored 16 points, while Joan Doguna had 10 points, including two aces for the Lady Pirates. Source: Philippines News Agency