The first big test of life after Detdet Pepito came Sunday, and the answer arrived off the bench. Kim Rubin, another graduate of the school’s own high school program, walked on in the third set and closed the door.

University of Santo Tomas opened its 2026 V-League Collegiate Challenge campaign by sweeping San Beda University, 25-15, 25-16, 25-19, at Gameville Central Park in Mandaluyong City. The Golden Tigresses were clinical at both ends, and they never let the Lady Red Spikers stretch the match.

Rubin steadied the floor defense before ending it herself in transition with the clinching kill. It was a tidy piece of work from a player who wasn’t even on the floor when the set began.

Built From Inside the Building

The former Alas youth standout finished with six points — every one of them from attacks. She added three digs and two excellent receptions, the sort of line that explains why she was sent in.

She wasn’t the only new face carrying defensive weight. Sandrine Escober, one of the squad’s new liberos, accounted for six of the team’s 17 excellent receptions across the one-hour, 16-minute match.

That’s the shape of the rebuild so far. Rather than handing the job to a single successor, UST spread it across fresh options and got a sweep out of the arrangement.

A Sweep Built on Balance

The scoring told the same story. Middle blocker Em Banagua topped the team with nine points, Ash Knop added seven, and Angge Poyos and Marga Altea contributed six apiece.

Behind them, setters Cassie Carballo and Ar Waje combined for 16 excellent sets. No Tigress reached double figures, and none needed to.

Head coach Shaq Delos Santos, in his second year back at the helm, treated the win as information rather than a verdict. “I think this is a good and big opportunity nga na magkaroon kami ng exposure ng tournament. Malaking help din to sa ‘min na ma-check kung ano pa ‘yung kailangan naming i-improve,” he said.

San Beda had its moments without ever threatening. Aiezel Parumog warmed up in the third set to finish with nine points and Daisy Cagas quietly posted 13, but 25 errors undid whatever the Lady Red Spikers built.

Both sides are back at the same venue this week. UST chases a second straight win against Arellano University on August 22 at 3 p.m., while San Beda returns later that day at 5 p.m. to face NCAA rivals University of Perpetual Help System Dalta.