Lady Warriors overcome Lady Knights to boost playoff hopes in V-League Women’s Collegiate Challenge

The University of the East (UE) Lady Warriors rallied from a third-set stumble to secure a decisive 25-9, 25-23, 22-25, 25-16 victory over the Letran Lady Knights in the V-League Women’s Collegiate Challenge at Paco Arena, Manila, on Sunday. This win significantly strengthens UE’s playoff aspirations.

Playmaker Kizzie Madriaga and top hitter KC Cepada were instrumental in the victory, especially in the decisive fourth set, where their combined efforts gave UE a commanding 16-8 lead and sealed the win. The triumph improved UE’s record to 3-2, placing them in a tie for second place with Far Eastern University and the University of the Philippines in the seven-team league organized by Sports Vision.

Madriaga excelled with 18 excellent sets and two additional points, while Cepada led the attack with 19 points, including 15 attacks and four aces, alongside 12 excellent receptions.

UE head coach Obet Vital praised his team’s mental resilience, saying, “I’m happy. We still have a lot to work on. The girls mentally played well today, and that’s what I’ve been concerned about. A lot better, energy was up, and that’s what makes the difference.”

Despite winning the first two sets, UE struggled in the third set due to a series of errors, allowing Letran to capitalize and push the match into a fourth set. However, UE’s ability to regroup and deliver a dominant performance in the fourth set ultimately led to their second consecutive win and third overall in five games of this pre-season tournament.

The Lady Warriors will face the FEU Lady Tamaraws on September 8 at 12 noon, a match with significant playoff implications. Meanwhile, the Letran Lady Knights, led by Marie Nitura’s 14 points and Sheena Sarie’s nine points, fell to a 1-3 record. They will next compete against the undefeated University of Santo Tomas on Wednesday at 12 noon.