Adamson University continued its dominant form, sweeping the University of the East, 25–18, 25–23, 25–16, to seize a share of the lead in the 2026 V-League Collegiate Challenge on Sunday at Gameville Central Park in Mandaluyong City.
The defending champions followed up their victory over the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA Lady Altas last week to improve to 2–0 and join the Arellano University Lady Chiefs atop the standings.
The Lady Falcons needed to overcome a second-set scare, with Joy Aseo and Frances Mordi taking charge before Adamson blew the game open in the third set and never looked back.
“So far, so good, kasi halos lahat naman ng girls showed up. And sa two games namin, nakita ko naman how they improved. Thankful lang sa Lord on how they responded sa game, especially don sa second set; how we were able to get through,” said head coach JP Yude.
Aseo finished with 17 points on 14 attacks, two blocks, and two aces, while Mordi added 11 markers, five digs, and nine excellent sets. Fhei Sagaysay dished out 13 excellent sets, then libero Juris Manuel backstopped Mordi with eight digs.
Adamson High School products Francheska Adem and Janessa Buhay led UE with 15 and 11 points, respectively, while Bea Zamudio chipped in seven markers.
The Lady Warriors slipped to 1–1 and will look to bounce back against winless San Beda University (0–2) on August 30 at noon.
Later in the day, College of Saint Benilde got one back against its recent NCAA Finals tormentors, Colegio de San Juan de Letran, scoring a bounce-back four-set victory, 25–19, 18–25, 25–21, 25–18.
The Lady Blazers got into the win column after an opening-day defeat to UE, overcoming a second-set setback to finish the match in just one hour and 37 minutes.
Benilde leaned on a dominant fourth set, racing to a nine-point lead at 17–8 and never looking back despite Letran’s late comeback attempt.
“Adjustment is kaunti lang, ikot ng tao, ganon lang. Ang habol talaga namin is exposure for all na maglaro lang,” said head coach Jerry Yee.
“Wala pa, hilaw pa; hindi pa kami masaya. Pero ganon talaga, kailangan naming maging patient,” the seasoned mentor added of his current squad.
Middle blockers Arianna Pua and Fionna Inocentes led the Lady Blazers, who are entering the post-Zam Nolasco era. Pua finished with 19 points on 13 kills, three blocks, and three service aces, including two timely hits in the fourth set, while Inocentes added seven markers.
Grace Borromeo and Mhonniecka Soliven chipped in 10 points apiece, while captain Zen Basilio tallied 13 excellent sets.
The Lady Blazers will go for their second straight win against league-leading Arellano University (2–0) on Saturday at 10:00 AM.
Judiel Nitura exploded for 18 points in her season debut for Letran, while Rheina Merwa added 16.
The Lady Knights slipped to 0–2 and will look to arrest their skid when they face the Adamson University Lady Falcons (2–0) on Saturday at noon.
