National University and University of the Philippines Secure Wins in V-League Women’s Collegiate Challenge

MANILA — In an exhilarating day of volleyball, National University (NU) and the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman emerged victorious in their respective matches during the 2024 V-League Women’s Collegiate Challenge held at the Paco Arena on Wednesday.

According to Philippines News Agency, NU faced a tough challenge from the Letran Lady Knights but ultimately secured a win with scores of 25-23, 25-21, 23-25, 25-11. Natashaza Kaye Bombita led the Lady Bulldogs with 14 attacks, three aces, and two blocks, playing a pivotal role in the two-hour and eight-minute match. NU’s resilience was highlighted by assistant coach Karl Dimaculangan, who noted the need for increased maturity among the rookies. He emphasized that the victory would significantly boost the team’s confidence, especially after a motivational push following a third-set loss.

Meanwhile, the University of the Philippines team, with a roster comprising 70% rookies, defeated Lyceum of the Philippines University with scores of 25-16, 25-23, 15-25, 25-20. UP’s head coach Oliver Almadro praised the rookies’ performance, stressing the need for consistency and the importance of raising their level with each game. Notable players included Nina Ytang, who scored 16 points, and Kassandra Doering, who contributed significantly in the decisive fourth set alongside Nica Celis.

The match demonstrated the emerging talents in collegiate volleyball, with both teams showing promising prospects for future competitions. NU looks ahead to its next game against the University of the East, aiming to maintain their winning momentum.