UST spikers sparkle in V-League opener

Former three-time champion University of Santo Tomas trounced College of Saint Benilde, 25-13, 25-17, 20-25, 25-16, yesterday to serve notice of its bid in the second conference of the fifth season of the Shakey’s V-League at The Arena in San Juan City.

Aiza Maizo unleashed 15 hits and 12 kills while guest and former star player Mary Jean Balse blasted away 13 hits to help set in motion the Tigress’ title campaign.

“It’s a nice way of saying we’re back,” said UST coach Cesael delos Santos, who took over from long-time mentor August Sta. Maria, in Filipino.

UST, which ties fellow league returnee La Salle with most number of titles with three, jumped the gun on St. Benilde by dominating the first two sets in the tournament bankrolled by Shakey’s Pizza and organized by Sports Vision Management Group, Inc.

But the Lady Blazers regained their composure, regrouped and fought back in the third set behind Giza Yumang.

But the Tigresses re-stamped their class and finished off the Lady Blazers with timely hits and good reception in a big start to their bid for a fourth championship in the league organized by Sports Vision and backed by Active White skin whitening products, Mikasa and Accel.

For updates and results, visit the tournament website at www.v-league.ph.

Alumna Venus Bernal, Maika Ortiz and Rica Gutierrez scored seven hits apiece for UST, while Raquel Ordoñez, Doreen Sanchez, Kara Agero and Cindy Velasco came up with six points each for St. Benilde.

The UST-St. Benilde game will be telecast on NBN-4 starting at 2 p.m. today with replays to be shown on both Viva Prime Channel on Destiny Cable and Makisig Channel on Sky Cable.