The matches for the 2025 V-League Collegiate Challenge sizzled despite a rainy Saturday afternoon today, August 16 at Paco Arena Sports and Events Center at Manila City.
Geraldine Palacio Stops Perpetual’s 2-Game Losing Streak
After starting their campaign down 0-2 in the tournament, Geraldone Palacio and the rest of the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA were determined to stop the bleeding as they faced the Mapua University.
Photo Credits: V-League
The Lady Altas quickly stamped their dominance in the opening set, overwhelming the Lady Cardinals with a steady attack and strong service pressure. Their momentum carried into the second frame, where they widened the gap even further to take a commanding 2-0 lead.
Photo Credits: V-League
In the third, Perpetual sealed the win behind the spark provided by Shai Omipon, who came off the bench to score five points, which includes three of them in the closing set. The match wrapped up in just one hour and six minutes.
FINAL SCORES = Set 1: 25-13, Set 2: 25-9, Set 3: 25-13
Photo Credits: V-League
Perpetual’s firepower was evident, delivering 42 attacks against Mapua’s 15, along with seven service aces, three courtesy of Pauline Reyes. Setter Fianne Ariola kept the offense clicking with 14 excellent sets and added five points of her own, while Geraldine Palacio contributed 10 markers built on five kills, three blocks, and two aces.
Head coach Sandy Rieta acknowledged his young squad is still finding rhythm: “Yung adjustments sa kung ano pa ‘yung kulang ng team at kulang nga mag individual players na nakita namin sa first two games namin. Kasi medyo bago ‘tong team eh; ‘yung chemistry is hinahanap ko pa rin ‘yung ila-line up sa loob. Kaya papalit-palit ako ng starting six nung mga nakaraan.”
He then added: “Nasa status tayo ngayon ng learning system. Kumbaga kung ano ‘yung hindi mga weakness, errors natin last season, subukan nating palitan ng maganda.”
With the breakthrough win, Perpetual improved to 1-2 and will next face Letran (0-1) on Saturday at 3 p.m.
Photo Credits: V-League
Mapua, meanwhile, dropped to 0-3 despite efforts from Freighanne Garcia and Alex Leabres, who scored four points each. Captain Alyanna Ong was limited to just one point. The Lady Cardinals will meet Letran on Sunday at 10 a.m. in hopes of a first victory.
Kai Lleses Helps the CSB Blazers Stay Perfect in the Tournament
With an unbeaten record of 2-0, the College of Saint Benilde looked to continue their dominance as they played against the Lady Eagles of Ateneo De Manila University.
Photo Credits: V-League
The Lady Blazers quickly dictated the tempo in the opening set with setter Chenae Basarte running the offense and exposing Ateneo’s shaky reception. The Blue Eagles tried to stay close late in the frame through Zey Pacia, but errors allowed Benilde to secure the first set.
In the second, Ateneo once again showed flashes of resistance, but costly miscues stalled their momentum. Benilde remained composed, leaning on consistent service pressure and well-spread attacks to double their lead.
Photo Credits: V-League
The Lady Blazers finished the match in the third set as Ateneo committed three straight errors, giving Benilde full control. Middle blockers Zam Nolasco and Cristy Ondangan provided steady scoring, while Kai Lleses sealed the sweep with key points down the stretch.
FINAL SCORES = Set 1: 25-18, Set 2: 25-18, Set 3: 25-17
Despite both teams tallying 35 attacks, Benilde’s edge at the net with seven blocks and six service aces proved decisive. Ateneo’s 27 errors, highlighted by miscues in crucial stretches, ultimately cost them the match.
Lleses led Benilde with 10 points on eight attacks and two aces, while also contributing eight digs and six receptions. Basarte ended with 17 excellent sets and three points, including two aces. Nolasco and Ondangan added nine markers each, with Rhea Densing chipping in five.
Photo Credits: V-League
Assistant coach Corrine Apostol stressed consistency as the team’s focus: “Ang initial plan lang namin is ‘yung system namin, na sundin at gawin nang tama. Kasi kung kakabahan sila, siyempre, hindi nila magagawa nang tama ‘yung mga dapat nilang gawin. ‘Yun lang naman talaga ‘yung pinag-uusapan namin; ‘yung dapat consistent lang.”
“Actually hindi pa namin siya iniisip talaga kasi one game at a time lang tayo. Pero nag-start na sila mag-viewing at mag-aral ng individual stats ng Adamson yesterday,” Apostol added.
Photo Credits: V-League
For Ateneo, Pacia stood out with 11 points, while veteran Gena Hora came off the bench to score nine. They then drop to 0-1.
The Lady Blazers improved to 3-0 and will face fellow unbeaten Adamson (2-0) on Tuesday, August 9, at noon.
