University of the East and Far Eastern U posted straight-set victories over separate rivals with the former trouncing Enderun College, 25-16, 25-16, 25-20, and the latter routing Mapua U, 25-13, 25-18, 25-15 to open the 2023 V-League Women's Challenge Cup on Wednesday at Paco Arena.
Skipper Kizzie Madriaga found Jelai Gajero open on the left side and the latter blasted in a kill to clinch the win that marked the Lady Warriors’ long-awaited return after making their first and only league appearance in 2007.
"It was a good win. Siyempre hinihintay rin natin makaharap yung mga heavyweights, then tignan natin yung assessment after that," said newly-installed UE coach Jerry Yee.
The Lady Tams also gave interim coach Manolo Refugia a warm welcome as they cruised past the Mapua U Lady Cardinals to close out the season's opening day hostilities.
"Happy naman ako sa mga girls kasi nakita yung past few months na tine-training namin although may mga small errors pa na kailangang trabahuhin," said Refugia, who took over from former coach and top setter Tina Salak, who has migrated to the US.
Tin Ubaldo stood at the forefront of the Lady Tamaraws' offense, scoring on a 1-2 play for a 23-15 lead then Mitzi Panangin scored from the middle to complete their one-sided win.
