The La Salle Green Spikers recovered from a first‑set loss to defeat the Mapua Cardinals, 21‑25, 25‑23, 25‑18, 25‑20, in the 2026 V‑League Collegiate Challenge at Gameville Central Park in Mandaluyong City.
La Salle needed to work its way back after dropping the opening frame, but the Green Spikers gained control after narrowly taking the second set and carried the momentum through the rest of the match.
Captain and converted outside hitter Issa Ousseini led the way for La Salle with 23 points on 17 attacks, 5 blocks, and 1 ace. He also contributed 14 excellent receptions.
Rui Ventura added 16 points, coming through whenever Mapua threatened to mount a comeback, while Eugene Gloria provided an all‑around effort with 7 points, 4 digs, and 12 excellent receptions.
“We have been with the team for almost a month, and we have been making adjustments with the system of play. We’re also introducing some combinations and taking out some,” said first assistant coach Godfrey Okumu.
“We didn’t have much time playing together as a team, just scrimmages. So, these (games) gave us a training ground,” added Okumu, who previously led the UP Fighting Maroons to the 2018 PVL Collegiate Challenge title.
La Salle will look to build on its first victory when it faces the winless UST Golden Spikers on August 30 at 5 p.m.
Mapua, meanwhile, dropped to 0‑2 despite another strong showing from Patrick Reyes, who finished with 17 points on 15 attacks and two blocks. Team captain Ar‑Jay Ramos returned after an injury scare in the second set and finished with 12 points.
The Cardinals will try to snap their losing streak against the NU Bulldogs on August 30 at 3 p.m.
Benilde Stays Perfect
Earlier, the Benilde Blazers completed a perfect weekend after edging the Arellano Chiefs in five sets, 25‑22, 22‑25, 25‑20, 22‑25, 15‑11.
The Blazers entered the match less than a day after defeating Mapua in four sets, but still managed to pull out another close victory, improving to 2‑0 and taking the solo lead.
Arellano appeared ready to force the match to a fifth set after rallying from a 16‑19 deficit in the fourth frame. Jiwen Sinuto and the Chiefs eventually took the set after a nearly 40‑minute battle.
Benilde, however, regained control in the decider behind Reymark Betco, who delivered most of his team‑high 27 points in the final set.
Rocky Motol also bounced back from a difficult fourth set with timely hits in the decider, finishing with 24 points. Setter Chris Villanueva directed the Blazers’ attack with 30 excellent sets and added two points.
“Mindset lang yan eh, given na malalakas naman yung katawan ng mga bata. Yung mindset kung paanong magre‑respond don sa uncomfortable situation,” said Benilde head coach Arnold Laniog.
The Blazers’ ability to close out another tight fifth set also brought back memories of last season for Laniog.
“Tingin ko nakatulong yung core ko last year sa NC na most of the fifth sets namin napanalo,” he added.
Benilde will go for a third straight win against fellow NCAA side Letran on August 29 at 3 p.m.
Sinuto led Arellano with 18 points on 16 attacks and two blocks, while team captain Daniel Agovida added 13 points on nine attacks and four blocks.
The Chiefs fell to 1‑1 and will look to bounce back against UST on August 30 at 5 p.m. at Gameville Central Park.
