The 2025 V-League Collegiate Challenge features two exciting matches this Tuesday, August 19, at the Paco Arena Events and Sports Center in Manila.
Faida Bakanke Leads the Lady Tamaraws Back to Their Winning Ways
After splitting their first 2 games of the tournament, the FEU Lady Tamaraws are eager to collect their 2nd win as they play against the Colegio de San Juan de Letran.
The Lady Tamaraws opened strong in the first set, pulling away late behind the firepower of Faida Bakanke and Tin Ubaldo to grab a Set 1 victory.
Their momentum carried into the second frame, where they displayed better floor defense and sharper attacking to secure Set 2 and move a step closer to victory.
But the Lady Knights refused to fold. In the third set, FEU stumbled into a 9-15 hole, plagued by costly errors from their younger players, Kyle Pendon and Ia David. Letran seized the opportunity, with Judiel Nitura and Gia Maquilang leading the charge to carve out a Set 3 win, preventing a straight-sets sweep and giving themselves life.
The match looked headed for a decider after Letran carried their third-set momentum into the fourth, jumping to an early 8-4 advantage. However, FEU responded through a pivotal run sparked by Cla Loresco, Bakanke, and Jaz Ellarina, who combined for a 12-5 rally to swing the lead back in their favor at 16-13.
That proved to be the turning point, as Gerz Petallo later delivered a timely ace, Bakanke scored on an offspeed hit and a block, and a Maquilang attack error ended the match in one hour and 51 minutes.
FINAL SCORE = Set 1: 25-21, Set 2: 25-18, Set 3: 25-20, Set 4: 25-20
Bakanke led FEU’s charge with 18 points on 15 kills, two blocks, and an ace, while Ellarina contributed 12 markers highlighted by four blocks. Loresco made her V-League return after a stint with the Alas Pilipinas Women in the SEA V-League, tallying nine points, while Petallo chipped in eight points along with nine excellent digs. Ubaldo steered the offense with 14 excellent sets, while Devosora and Pendon added five points each.
For FEU head coach Tina Salak, the victory was less about skills and more about mentality. “Sa skills kasi, lahat naman talented. Ang sinabi ko kanina sa huddle is this game is more on their attitude. Kung paano nila gusto gawin yung gusto nila mangyari sa game. Most likely ang sa akin lang is for them to focus more on the mental [aspect],” she said.
With the bounce-back win, the Lady Tamaraws improved to a 2-1 card, tightening their hold on third place in the eight-team tournament.
Letran, meanwhile, dropped to 0-2 despite a big showing from Nitura, who delivered 20 points on 16 attacks, two aces, and two blocks. Maquilang also made her presence felt with 14 points on 11 kills and 13 excellent receptions.
Battle of Undefeated Teams: CSB Lady Blazers Versus Adamson Lady Falcons
The main event of today was the battle of undefeated teams. College of Saint Benilde has a record of 3-0 while Adamson University has a record of 2-0.
The Lady Falcons opened the match on steady footing, pulling off key conversions down the stretch of the first frame to edge Benilde and claim the early momentum.
They carried that surge into the second, breaking the set wide open behind three straight points from Shaina Nitura, a quick from MG Del Moral, and a well-timed 1-2 play by setter Fhei Sagaysay that stretched their lead to 21-12 before wrapping it up to go up 2-0.
Facing their first real test, Adamson nearly stumbled in the third. The Lady Blazers pounced early, racing to a 10-3 advantage in a bid to extend the contest. But the Lady Falcons refused to buckle. Nitura engineered a spirited 10-3 counterattack that knotted the score at 13-all, shifting the pressure back to Benilde.
The set turned into a nip-and-tuck affair with CSB still clinging to a 19-18 lead, but Adamson’s trio of Nitura, Del Moral, and Kim Rocha delivered in the clutch. A decisive 5-1 rally swung the frame to the Lady Falcons, 23-20, before Rocha’s off-the-block hit and Nitura’s ace capped the sweep in just 79 minutes.
FINAL SCORES = Set 1: 25-22, Set 2: 25-13, Set 3: 25-20
Nitura once again spearheaded Adamson with a standout 18-point performance on 16 kills and two service aces, while also posting eight excellent receptions and seven digs. Abby Segui backed her up with 11 points on top of five digs, Del Moral chipped in six markers, and Sagaysay steered the offense with 16 excellent sets while scoring five of her own.
Head coach JP Yude praised his squad’s composure, particularly in their comeback effort. “Maganda yung efforts ng bata on how they responded sa mga situations, especially doon sa third set na we were down by seven points, but they responded well and binalik nila yung focus nila. They worked hard para makuha pa rin namin yung game na ito,” he said.
He also lauded the team’s depth, adding, “I’m very happy and very glad that they are contributing na lahat sila… hindi lang si Shaina yung nandiyan na naglalaro and nag-ggain ng more points, but we’re trying our best sa training na i-push ang bawat isa na mag-contribute ang lahat.”
With the victory, Adamson improved to 3-0 following earlier wins over Perpetual and FEU, while Benilde fell to 3-1 after sweeping its first three assignments.
Zam Nolasco led the Lady Blazers with 13 points built on 10 attacks and three blocks, while Shahanna Lleses and Cristy Ondangan scored seven and six markers, respectively.
