UP trips PH Navy in Shakey's V-League

MANILA, Philippines -- University of the Philippines drew strength from the return of Katherine Bersola as it eked out a come-from-behind 19-25, 25-23, 25-23, 25-23, victory over Philippine Navy Saturday to jumpstart its campaign in the Shakey's V-League Season 12-Reinforced Conference at The Arena in San Juan City.

Bersola came through with eight hits on her first game since she suffered an ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injury in a UAAP game last January.

And Bersola returned doing what she does best as one of the UAAP's best blockers accounted for four of UP's 13 blocks in powering the Lady Maroons to their first win in this tournament bankrolled by Shakey's.

"She's not yet in full strength, but she's getting there," said UP coach Jerry Yee of Bersola.

While Bersola did the defending, Maria Lina Isabel Molde, Nicole Anne Tiamzon and Marian Alisa Buitre did most of the attacking as the three finished with 17, 14 and 10 points, respectively.

It looked like though that Navy was on its way to an easy win after it handily took the opening set and was leading comfortably in the second, 18-12.

But UP turned things around and slowly but surely fought its way back to snatch the set and knot it at one-all while giving it momentum and confidence in the last two sets to steal the win.

Meanwhile, heavy favorites PLDT Home Ultera and Army seek to open their title bids with a bang as the two tackle Coast Guard and newcomer KIA Forte aty 12:45 and 3 p.m., respectively Sunday.

The Ultrafast Lady Spikers will parade a star-studded team headed by Collegiate Conference and UAAP MVP Alyssa Valdez, last year's Reinforced Conference MVP Aiza Maizo-Pontillas, NCAA MVP Gretchel Soltones, Rubie de Leon, Jem Ferrer, Suzanne Roces, Gata Pantone, Charo Soriano and Jannine Marciano and coached by Grand Slam-seeking Roger Gorayeb.

The Lady Troopers, for their part, will parade an equally deep squad that will be spearheaded by Abi Marano, Dindin Santiago-Manabat, Rachel Anne Daquis, Jovelyn Gonzaga, Tina Salak, Mary Jean Balse and Honey Royse Tubino.

KIA Forte will come in as the league's newest club and will have players like Angelie Tabaquero, Chie Saet, Wenneth Eulalio and Fil-Am Alexa Micek and will be mentored by Oliver Almandro, who steered the Ateneo men's team to the UAAP and Spikers' Turf Collegiate Conference titles this year.