Adamson University continued its dominant run in the 2025 V-League Collegiate Challenge, notching its fourth straight victory with a sweep of Arellano University, 25-18, 25-21, 25-22, on Saturday at the Paco Arena Sports and Events Center in Manila.
The Lady Falcons showed composure in the tight second and third sets to remain unbeaten at 4-0, moving closer to a semifinal berth behind the brilliance of Alas Women upstart Shaina Nitura.
Nitura fired a game-high 21 points on 18 attacks, two blocks, and an ace, while also contributing defensively with 10 digs and nine excellent receptions.
Kim Rocha provided a timely spark off the bench, scoring three of her points in the decisive third frame.
“First of all, we thank the Lord dito sa four wins namin,” said Adamson head coach JP Yude. “Siguro, nakikita ko lang kung paano mag-work ‘yung mga bata, how they stick together especially during hard times. Especially kanina, lumalamang ‘yung kalaban.”
He added, “So ‘yun ‘yung mga good thing, good problem, na kumbaga nao-overcome nila during the game.”
Arellano, however, made Adamson work for the sweep.
The Lady Chiefs tallied seven blocks — most of them in the second and third sets — with Sam Tiratira registering three.
Tiratira also led the scoring for Arellano with 12 points, while Laika Tudlasan added seven. Frances Mordi chipped in nine points.
Setter Fhei Sagaysay dished out 18 excellent sets in the loss.
(C) V-League Images
Later in the day, Mapua shook off a winless start to the tournament by stunning Ateneo de Manila University in four sets, 25-21, 25-22, 23-25, 26-24, to secure its breakthrough win of the season at the same venue.
The Lady Cardinals, now at 1-4, kept their semifinal hopes alive with a spirited performance led by Alyanna Ong. She delivered 26 points, including a game-high four blocks.
Her pivotal rejection in the fourth set proved crucial in fending off the Blue Eagles’ late push.
Freighanne Garcia matched Ong’s scoring output with 26 points of her own, 23 coming from attacks alongside three service aces.
Setter Angelick Gavoca also orchestrated the offense with 23 excellent sets while adding four points, including two clever one-two plays during the intense fourth-set finish.
“Sabi ko nga sa mga bata, siguro ‘yung pangatlong talo namin, wake-up call na sa ‘min ‘yon; na ano ba nangyayari dyan,” said longtime Mapua head coach Aying Esteban. “Ni-reset lang namin ‘yung team namin; masyadong mataas ‘yung tension. Masyadong takot ng magkamali.
“Ni-reset namin mga sarili namin, kahit kaming coaches kasi masyadong mabigat na ‘yung dinadala namin. At least nakita namin na nag-react ‘yung mga bata sa ginawa namin.”
Ateneo had chances to force a decider, with seniors Gena Hora and Taks Fujimoto leading the charge.
A spike from Hora gave the Blue Eagles set point at 24-23, but two consecutive errors from the opposite hitter shifted momentum back to Mapua, who eventually closed out the match after two hours and nine minutes.
For Ateneo, Zey Pacia paced the team with 13 points while Alana Tan-chi added 10.
With the results, Adamson (4-0) remains on top of the standings, while Mapua (1-4) heads into a Sunday morning clash against the Lady Falcons looking to pull off another upset.
