Mutshima scored 23 points -- built on 20 attack points and 3 blocks -- for the Lady Bulldogs. However, it was Ivy Lacsina who delivered the game-ending kill against UST, ending up with 12 kills and 7 rejections for a total of 19 markers.
In the final set, NU raced to build a 6-1 lead following a net touch by last year's finalists, but was slowly plucked away by their feisty opponents.
Blove Barbon even made the game a one-point affair after her service ace, 9-8, but an error and a service ace by Bingle Landicho created an 11-8 cushion.
The Lady Bulldogs eventually went into match point, 14-11, before UST managed to score their final two points.
NU, which fell behind 2-1 at the conclusion of the third set, was able to build a 9-5 advantage to start the fourth. The Tigresses clapped back to steal the lead, 13-11, before surrendering a 6-2 spurt to give the Lady Bulldogs a 17-15 advantage.
UST tried to bridge the gap after an off-the-block kill by Eya Laure, 22-20, but NU responded in a big way by scoring three straight to force the decider, capped off by a block by Lacsina.
Last season's Rookie of the Year Laure led UST's offense with 20, while her older sister, EJ, contributed 17. It was the EJ Laure's first game back after being sidelined for two years due to a shoulder injury.
Homegrown rookie Imee Hernandez also made an impressive debut for UST, giving her squad 18 points. Risa Sato, who returned after a one-year absence, also made a big difference with 17 points.
In the men's division, the NU Bulldogs started its title defense by fending off a pesky UST Tiger Spikers side, 27-25, 23-25, 25-19, 27-25.
NU, which played its first game without star players Bryan Bagunas, Francis Saura, Kim Malabunga, and Madz Gampong, leaned on Nico Almendras to deliver the win in the fourth set.
With the game tied at 16 late in the fourth set, the Bulldogs engineered to score four straight to go ahead, 20-16.
UST then clawed back to trim the deficit to one, 23-22, but Jhun Senoron committed a service error, 24-22. The Tigers then scored two straight markers to force a deuce, 24-24, courtesy of a kill-block by Charlee Magpayo.
Joshua Umandal then drilled a down-the-line hit to go ahead, 25-24, but Almendras nailed a cross-court hit, 25-25.
In the ensuing possession, Berhashidin Daymil soared for the denial, 26-25, before Almendras delivered the service ace for the win.
Almendras top scored for NU with 20 points (17 attacks, 3 blocks), adding 14 excellent receptions.m Clarence Camposano added 19 (15 attacks, 4 blocks).
Umandal posted 25 for UST.
"UST's system was new so the adjustments were slow," head coach Dante Alinsunurin said after the game. "It's just our first game, we're still adjusting."
Alinsunurin, also the Philippine men's national team coach, made UAAP history by making the first-ever video challenge.
He contested a net-ball call late in the first set, which was deemed successful after a lengthy deliberation. He was awarded the point, 21-19.
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