Adamson University and University of Santo Tomas opened their respective 2026 V-League Collegiate Challenge campaigns in impressive fashion, sweeping University of Perpetual Help System DALTA and San Beda University, respectively, on Sunday at Gameville Central Park in Mandaluyong City.
The Lady Falcons opened their title defense by dispatching the Lady Altas, 25–21, 25–18, 25–22, while the Golden Tigresses ushered in the post-Detdet Pepito era with a 25–15, 25–16, 25–19 victory over the Lady Red Spikers.
Playing without reigning UAAP MVP Shaina Nitura, Adamson leaned on Nigerian outside hitter Frances Mordi, who delivered when it mattered most, particularly during a tight second-set opening and the decisive stretch of the third frame.
Mordi finished with a match-high 20 points on 16 kills, two service aces, and a block. Her aces helped the Lady Falcons seize control in the second set, while her rejection sealed the victory in the third.
“First of all, I thank God that we got this win. Also I’m happy na nakuha namin yung first game. I’m happy sa performance nila, na kahit sino hugutin, they performed well,” said head coach JP Yude.
“For us, in this tournament, we always gain experience and learnings na babaunin namin sa UAAP,” he added.
Lana Barrera chipped in 12 points while filling in for Nitura for two sets, while Lhouriz Tuddao impressed in her debut as an opposite hitter with nine markers.
Adamson next tests the mettle of the new-look University of the East Lady Warriors on August 23 at 3 p.m.
For Perpetual, Cyrille Almeñiana made a strong start but was eventually contained by the Lady Falcons’ defense and finished with eight points. The Lady Altas will look to bounce back against San Beda on August 22 at 5 p.m.
(C) V-League
Meanwhile, UST remained clinical on both sides of the floor against San Beda, with another product of its high school program, Kim Rubin, playing a key role in preventing the Lady Red Spikers from extending the match in the third set.
Rubin came off the bench in the final frame and stabilized UST’s floor defense before finishing the match with the clinching kill. The former Alas youth standout ended with six points, all from attacks, while adding three digs and two excellent receptions.
Sandrine Escober, one of the team’s new liberos, accounted for six of UST’s 17 excellent receptions in the one-hour, 16-minute match.
“I think this is a good and big opportunity nga na magkaroon kami ng exposure ng tournament. Malaking help din to sa ‘min na ma-check kung ano pa ‘yung kailangan naming i-improve,” said head coach Shaq Delos Santos, who is entering his second year back at the helm.
Middle blocker Em Banagua led UST’s balanced attack with nine points, while Ash Knop added seven. Angge Poyos and Marga Altea chipped in six points apiece, while setters Cassie Carballo and Ar Waje combined for 16 excellent sets.
The Golden Tigresses will seek their second straight win against Arellano University on August 22 at 3 p.m.
San Beda, meanwhile, drew 13 points from Daisy Cagas and nine from Aiezel Parumog, who heated up in the third set. The Lady Red Spikers, however, committed 25 errors in the straight-set defeat.
San Beda will return to action later on August 22 at 5 p.m. against NCAA rivals Perpetual.
