Despite the rainy weather, the 2025 V-League Collegiate Challenge provided blazing hot matches for fans at Paco Arena Sports and Events Center today, August 24, Sunday.
Letran Lady Knights Go for 2-0 Over the Weekend
After overcoming a 5-set battle last night against the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA, the Lady Knights of the Colegio de San Juan de Letrán fought Mapua University today, who are still winless in the tournament.
The Lady Knights asserted themselves early, taking control of the first set with steady attacking from Judiel Nitura and Gia Maquilang to secure the win in the opener
The second frame, however, saw Mapua threaten to extend the match. The Lady Cardinals rallied from a three-point deficit to tie things at 21-all, but Letran held firm. Nitura delivered a crosscourt kill before Maquilang capped the set with a service ace to preserve a two-set lead.
Mapua again showed resistance in the third set, briefly going ahead 11-9 behind Nicole Ong’s quick hit and a block from Freighanne Garcia. But that lead was short-lived. Letran countered with a 10-3 surge powered by consecutive hits from Vanessa Sarie, Nitura, and Maquilang to swing momentum back, 19-14.
A Nitura service ace and back-to-back quick strikes from Jade Isar sealed the sweep in just 75 minutes.
FINAL SCORES: Set 1: 25-19, Set 2: 25-23, Set 3: 25-18
Nitura once more spearheaded Letran with 16 points built on 13 attacks and two blocks, along with solid floor defense. Sarie followed closely with 15 markers and 10 excellent receptions, while Maquilang contributed a well-rounded effort of 13 points and 10 digs. Setter Natalie Esteller also shone with 18 excellent sets and added five points.
Head coach Aleksi Lähteenmäki praised the team for responding to the challenge of bouncing back strong after their exhausting opener.
“We played very well today. I told the girls we needed to finish this game in three sets, and they delivered. Yesterday was a tough five-setter, but today we were much smoother,” the Finnish mentor said. “We just need to continue building our own game. Keep our serves and passes consistent, and we can challenge the stronger teams.”
The trio of Nitura-Maquilang-Sarie helped the Lady Knights to improve their record to 2-2.
Mapua, still searching for its first win, relied heavily on Ong, who posted 11 points and led all players with six blocks. Garcia and Raissa Ricablanca scored eight each, but their contributions fell short as the Lady Cardinals dropped to 0-4.
They will attempt to break their skid when they meet Ateneo de Manila University on Saturday, August 30.
Meanwhile, Letran looks to extend its winning run against unbeaten Adamson University on Wednesday, September 3, at the same venue.
FEU Lady Tamaraws Outpowers the #1 CSB Lady Blazers Through 5-Sets
After playing an intense 5-set match against the Arellano University last night, the FEU Lady Tamaraws play the number #1 team in the tournament today, which is the College of Saint Benilde.
FEU took early control, banking on the strong play of Faida Bakanke and Jaz Ellarina to secure the opening two sets.
But Benilde refused to go down quietly. The Lady Blazers stormed back in the third and fourth frames, erasing match points to extend the contest. Rhea Densing fired crucial hits as Benilde edged the third set before Zam Nolasco and Shekinah Lleses combined to steal the fourth, forcing a deciding set.
In the fifth, FEU quickly regrouped. Ellarina’s back-to-back kills, followed by a Lovely Lopez spike and a Bakanke crosscourt hit, created an 11-5 cushion. Benilde trimmed the deficit with a short rally, but the Lady Tamaraws tightened up defensively.
A Bakanke block, another Ellarina attack, and a costly service error from Camila Bartolome sealed the match in two hours and five minutes.
FINAL SCORES: Set 1: 25-22, Set 2: 25-21, Set 3: 25-23, Set 4: 26-24, Set 5: 15-8
Photo Credits: V-League
Bakanke led the way for FEU with 22 points, built from 17 attacks, three blocks, and two aces, while Ellarina chipped in 21 markers, highlighted by 15 kills and six blocks.
Aside from Bakanke and Ellarina, Lopez delivered nine points and anchored the defense with 15 receptions, celebrating her 20th birthday with a win. Gerzel Petallo also shone all-around with 14 points, 22 receptions, and 10 digs, while Ubaldo tallied 26 excellent sets along with three points. Margarett Encarnacion contributed a game-high 17 receptions.
Team captain Tin Ubaldo credited their resilience despite fatigue from back-to-back five-setters.
“Nag-mmatter talaga dito yung consistency and composure. Though pagod kami from last game kasi gabi na kami natapos tapos ito morning [game], parang hindi namin pwede i-excuse na pagod kami ulit. Yung may control talaga ng sarili namin is kami, kung paano kami gagalaw,” Ubaldo said.
She added: “Actually, hindi namin sila tinitignan as NCAA team ‘lang’ kasi lahat feel namin magkaka-level dito. Galing ‘man sa NCAA or UAAP, same lang. Nag-ttraining din kaming lahat at magagaling din sila sa NCAA.”
The Lady Tamaraws are now on a 3-game winning streak and have a record of 4-1.
Despite the loss, Benilde displayed balance across its roster. Nolasco finished with 21 points on 16 attacks, four blocks, and an ace; Densing tallied 16 markers, while Lleses added 13 points and 22 receptions. Clydel Catarig and Cristy Ondangan chipped in seven points apiece.
FEU will try to extend its winning streak to five when it faces the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA on Tuesday, August 26, at the same venue.
Meanwhile, Benilde, which opened the tournament at 3-0 but has since dropped two straight, will look to regroup against fellow NCAA side Arellano University later that day.
