Adamson University continued its dominant run, while University of Perpetual Help System DALTA kept its Final Four hopes alive with contrasting sweeps in the 2025 V-League Women’s Collegiate Challenge on Sunday at the Paco Arena Sports and Events Center in Manila.
The Lady Falcons became the first team to secure a semifinal berth after dismantling Mapua University, 25-15, 25-23, 25-11, in the morning session.
Fresh from a sweep of Arellano University the day before, Adamson leaned on the firepower of UAAP Season 87 Rookie of the Year Shaina Nitura, together with Abby Segui and Fhei Sagaysay, to stretch their unbeaten streak to five games.
Nitura shone with 18 points on 16 attacks and two blocks, while also contributing five digs, as Segui added 12 points.
Sagaysay orchestrated the offense with 20 excellent sets and chipped in three points. Lhouriz Tuddao and Princess Dote supplied seven points apiece.
“I’m really grateful on how nagre-respond yung mga bata to every situation. They know that we are learning a lot, but kailangan marami rin kami i-adjust dito sa mga games namin and sa mga training din namin para hindi lang kami magsi-stick doon sa nalalaman namin,” said head coach JP Yude, who emphasized the importance of collective effort.
Adamson showed resilience in the second set, erasing a 21-23 deficit with a 4-0 finishing kick, capped by a string of hits from Frances Mordi and a Mapua error.
That narrow escape proved pivotal, as Nitura and Red Bascon broke the third set wide open en route to sealing the Lady Falcons’ ticket to the semis.
The win cemented Adamson’s place at the top of the standings at 5-0.
They next face Colegio San Juan de Letran and rising star Judiel Nitura, Shaina’s elder sister, on Wednesday, September 3.
Mapua had previously scored a breakthrough win over Ateneo. It dropped to 1-5 and was officially eliminated from semifinal contention despite the 10-point output of Raissa Ricablanca and the seven markers from skipper Alyanna Ong.
(C) V-League Images
In the afternoon, the Lady Altas revived their playoff bid with a gritty 25-16, 30-28, 25-19 victory over the Ateneo Blue Eagles.
The win lifted them to 2-3, just a game behind Letran (2-2) for the last semifinal slot.
After a heartbreaking five-set loss to the Lady Knights last week, Perpetual showed poise under pressure, particularly in the extended second frame, where they saved eight set points before snatching the set on a block by Geraldine Palacio.
“It’s a matter of strong heart. Lagi ko sinasabi sa kanila na huwag natin ibibigay kahit ano mangyari. Manalo or matalo basta ang importante, lalaban at lalaban tayo,” said head coach Sandy Rieta, praising his squad’s grit in crucial moments.
Shaila Omipon led the charge with 11 points, 11 digs, and seven receptions, while Palacio backed her up with nine points anchored on four blocks and three aces.
Jernalyn Menor and Pauline Reyes added eight points each to complete Perpetual’s balanced attack.
The Lady Altas closed the door on Ateneo with a late third-set surge behind Omipon’s aces and Reyes’ down-the-line kill, handing the Blue Eagles their fifth straight loss in as many outings.
Faye Nisperos paced Ateneo with seven points, but no Blue Eagle reached double digits.
