UST trounced UE in four sets.
Coach Kungfu Reyes of the University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses had mixed emotions seeing Vanessa Bangayan and KC Cepada at the Filoil EcoOil Centre on Saturday. His high school wards were now wearing the red jerseys of the University of the East Lady Red Warriors.
They also won a hard-fought and extended first set against UST, 32-30.
The Golden Tigresses managed to put things back to order in the next three sets, 25-18, 25-16, 25-14, thanks to their high school teammate Regina Jurado.
Powerhouse Eya Laure also delivered with her 18 points coming off 14 attacks, 3 blocks, and an ace, along with 6 excellent digs.
Cepada finished with 12 points and Bangayan pitched in 11 for UE. Van also had 11 excellent digs and 13 excellent receptions.
"Seeing them in the court, I'm very, very proud of them, sa growth nila," UST setter Cassie Carballo said of her high school teammates.
Reyes also had nothing but glowing words for his former Golden Cubs, "Yung killing instinct nila, andun pa rin. 'Yung puso, 'di mo matatawaran. Andun pa rin 'yung Thomasian spirit, yung pride nila."
Cepada shares that even though they lost in four sets, the UE stars showed their former coach what they could do.
"For the longest time, naging tahanan namin ang UST. Ngayon naman po, nasa labas kami ng comfort zone namin," she shared. "So kailangan din ipakita sa kanila na kaya namin kahit lumabas na kami sa previous naming home."
"Nag-grow kami as individuals," Bangayan added.
"Mas proud kami na produkto sila ng UST," coach Kungfu beamed.
UST will finish the first round at 5-2, while UE is sitting at the bottom.
(With reports from Rainier Mira, One Sports Digital)