By: Joaquin Cortez
Reigning champion Adamson University stayed unbeaten in the 2026 V-League Collegiate Challenge after sweeping Colegio de San Juan de Letran, while Arellano University also remained spotless following a five-set victory over De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde on Saturday at Gameville Central Park in Mandaluyong City.
The Lady Falcons cruised past the Lady Knights, 25-17, 25-18, 25-16, to improve to 3-0 and share the top spot with Arellano in the standings. Letran, meanwhile, remained winless after two games.
Adamson leaned on Frances Mordi, who led the Lady Falcons with 17 points, while Lhouriz Tuddao, Princess Dote, and Red Bascon chipped in six points apiece.
After establishing control in the opening two sets, the Lady Falcons kept the Lady Knights at bay in the third, with key conversions from Mordi and Bascon before Tuddao’s off-speed hit sealed the sweep.
“Siyempre, we prepared for this game, and I let the players do the work during the game. I’m very happy [with] how they responded and sa ginagawa [nila],” Adamson head coach JP Yude said.
“We’re always thinking na kung sino talaga ang puwede naming magamit, nagagamit. And so far, all of them, kahit sinong i-pasok, they are contributing.”
Rheina Merwa was Letran’s lone double-digit scorer with 10 points, while Judiel Nitura added seven markers.
Adamson will look to secure its fourth straight victory when it faces Benilde on Sunday, Sept. 6, at 5:00 PM.
Meanwhile, Arellano showcased its grit down the stretch to fend off Benilde, 19-25, 25-17, 34-32, 16-25, 15-7, in a thrilling match that lasted exactly two hours.
The Lady Chiefs survived a grueling third set that lasted 39 minutes, only for the Lady Blazers to recover in the fourth frame by capitalizing on Arellano’s late miscues and force a decider.
Leading 11-7 in the final set, Arellano never looked back, closing the match with a 4-0 run capped by Cristana Servidad’s corner shot to preserve the Lady Chiefs’ perfect start.
“Masayang-masaya kami and siyempre, top team caliber ng NCAA ang nakalaban namin kanina. Kumbaga, ‘yong effort namin the past few days, nagbunga naman,” Arellano head coach Obet Javer said.
“Ni-remind ko lang sila kung bakit [sila natalo] sa fourth set … pagdating ng fifth set, sinabihan ko sila na kung gusto niyo manalo, ipagtrabaho niyo ‘yon kasi masasayang.”
Samantha Tiratira paced Arellano with 13 points, while Servidad and Catherine Chu added 12 points apiece.
Arellano will look for its fourth straight victory when it faces the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA Lady Altas on Saturday, Sept. 5.
On the other hand, Mary Borromeo and Camila Bartolome led Benilde with 18 points each, while Fionna Innocentes added 16 markers.
Benilde will look to bounce back against Adamson on Sunday, Sept. 6, at 5:00 PM.
Letran, meanwhile, will aim to return to the win column against San Beda University at 3:00 PM on the same day at Gameville Central Park.
