By Nikole Javier
University of Santo Tomas outlasted Adamson and eked out a hard-earned 25-20, 27-29, 15-25, 29-27, 15-10 win to complete the Shakey’s Super League Collegiate Pre-season Championship marathon opening day Saturday night, Sept. 24, at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila.
The Lady Tigresses found themselves in a tug of war with the Lady Tamaraws at 10-all in the fifth set before scoring five consecutive points to take home the win.
Veteran Eya Laure led UST and held a firm grip in their 5-0 run late in the set, tallying three of the five points including back-to-back hits in the final two rallies to put the match to rest as opening day lasted until Sunday early morning, Sept. 25.
The clash of Pool B contenders UST and Adamson was initially set at 6:00 p.m. but it began 10 minutes before 11:00 p.m. and ended a little over 1:00 a.m. the next day due to the previous games ending later than scheduled with their own five-setter.
Earlier in the quadruple-header, Far Eastern University stunned National Collegiate Athletic Association defending champs College of St. Benilde in another five-set win 25-20, 24-26, 19-25, 25-22, 15-11, with debuting head coach Tina Salak fighting off first-game jitters to lead her former school to victory in Pool D.
The Lady Tamaraws pulled away early in the final set, causing the Lady Blazers to crumble and commit costly errors before Barbie Jamili iced the match with an ace.
Chenie Tagaod paced FEU with 20 points built on 17 attacks and three services aces, earning Player of the Game honor.
In another thrilling clash, Perpetual escaped San Beda after putting an end to a closely contested four-set match, 24-26, 25-21, 25-23, 27-25, to open their Shakey’s Super League campaign.
Promising rookie Shaila Omipon made a rousing debut for the Lady Altas with a 17-point performance including an off-the-block hit at the fourth set to put Perpetual at match point.