The Elimination Round of V-League 2025 Collegiate Challenge is coming to an end as 2 teams collect critical wins last September 6 in hopes of making a slot in the Final Four.
Judiel Nitura Leads the Lady Knights Inch Closer to a Final Four Appearance
After getting swept by her sister Shaina in the “Battle of Nitura Siblings” last September 3, Judiel vowed to come back stronger as the Colegio De San Juan De Letran plays the Ateneo De Manila University.
Photo Credits: V-League
The Lady Knights asserted control early, dictating the pace in the opening frame with steady attacking and floor defense to secure the Set 1 win.
They carried the momentum into the second, where consistent scoring from their wing spikers helped them cruise to a convincing victory and take a commanding two-set lead.
Photo Credits: V-League
Despite trailing, Ateneo refused to back down. The Blue Eagles tightened their net defense and capitalized on Letran’s errors late in the third set to steal it.
Riding that momentum, Ateneo kept pressing in the fourth, once again pulling away in the closing stretch to take another win, forcing the match into a decider.
With momentum on Ateneo’s side, the Lady Knights found themselves in danger of a reverse sweep. Both teams traded points in the extended fifth, but it was Yen Martin who rose to the occasion, firing a crucial kill to put Letran at match point. An untimely attack error from Ateneo’s Jihan Chuatico then sealed the dramatic win for the Lady Knights after two hours and 23 minutes of play.
FINAL SCORES = Set 1: 25-21, Set 2: 25-17, Set 3: 25-23, Set 4: 25-23, Set 5: 18-16
Photo Credits: V-League
Judiel Nitura led Letran with a stellar all-around performance of 25 points and 14 digs, while Vanessa Sarie added 17 markers to keep the offense flowing. Stepping in for Gia Maquilang, Martin was pivotal with 14 points, 15 digs, and 15 excellent receptions.
“Well, I’m gonna be disappointed with my players. Of course, a win is a win and I’m happy for that, but we should do the job 3-0 or 3-1 and get the win as well,” said Head Coach Aleksi Lahteenmaki.
“Everything is a mind game when it comes to the fifth set, so I’m happy that they found the poise and everything.”
Photo Credits: V-League
For Ateneo, Zey Pacia spearheaded the scoring with 20 points built on 18 attacks and two blocks, while Chuatico contributed at the net with both points and defensive stops.
The win improved Letran to 3-3, keeping its semifinal hopes alive. The Lady Knights return to action on Sunday morning against Arellano University (1-3).
Meanwhile, Ateneo fell to 1-4 and now faces a must-win scenario against unbeaten Adamson University (6-0) later in the day.
Heart Villaflores Shows “Heart” Throughout the 5-Set Match
The Arellano University are in a tricky position in the team standings and would like to win all of their next matches.
Battling against the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA, it was Heart Villaflores who showed everyone the “Heart” of a winner.
The Lady Altas drew first blood, capitalizing on Arellano’s unforced errors and converting from the wings to secure the opening set. Arellano regrouped in the second frame, riding on sharper execution to pull away and level the match.
Photo Credits: V-League
The Lady Chiefs kept their momentum in Set 3, edging Perpetual in a tight finish to grab a 2-1 advantage.
Photo Credits: V-League
Refusing to fold, Perpetual stormed back in the fourth. Behind Camille Bustamante’s consistent scoring, the Lady Altas got the Set 4 win, setting the stage for a winner-take-all fifth set.
In the decisive frame, outside hitters Laika Tudlasan and Heart Villaflores rose to the occasion, combining for clutch attacks that broke Perpetual’s resistance. Arellano sealed the match after two hours and four minutes of play.
FINAL SCORES = Set 1: 25-20, Set 2: 25-19, Set 3: 25-23, Set 4: 25-22, Set 5: 15-9
Photo Credits: V-League
Tudlasan carried the scoring load with 27 points off 26 spikes, while Villaflores made a huge impact after coming off the bench in the second set, finishing with 21 markers, 20 from attacks. Setter Catherine Domasig steered the offense with 23 excellent sets and added nine points of her own.
“Ang nakita ko lang do’n is ‘yung willingness ng mga batang manalo. Hindi sila nag-dalawang-isip do’n sa kakayahan nila. ‘Yon din naman ‘yung lagi naming sinasabi: na ‘yung coaches nga malaki ang tiwala sa inyo, so dapat mas mataas ‘yung tiwala niyo sa isa’t isa,” said long-time head coach Obet Javier.
Photo Credits: V-League
Jernalyn Menor paced the Lady Altas with 20 points, while Bustamante chipped in 19.
Despite the loss, Perpetual remained in the fourth spot at 2-4 with eight points, still ahead of Arellano and Letran.
The Las Piñas-based squad will return on October 1 at noon against Far Eastern University (4-1) following the league’s break for the 2025 FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship.
Meanwhile, the victory improved Arellano’s record to 2-3, staying just behind Letran (3-3). The Lady Chiefs and Lady Knights are set for a crucial head-to-head battle on Sunday at 10 a.m. that could make or break their semifinal chances.
