Arellano University survived a five-set thriller against University of Santo Tomas, 25–21, 21–25, 31–33, 25–23, 15–13, while University of Perpetual Help System DALTA picked up its first win by beating San Beda University, 25–22, 28–26, 21–25, 25–21, as the 2026 V-League Collegiate Challenge continued Saturday at Gameville Central Park in Mandaluyong City.
The Lady Chiefs stayed perfect at 2–0 after overcoming a late fifth-set scare from the Golden Tigresses, while the Lady Altas evened their record at 1–1 after holding off the Lady Red Spikers later in the day.
Arellano, which opened its campaign with a straight-set victory over reigning NCAA champions Colegio de San Juan de Letran last week, had to overcome an 11–13 deficit in the deciding set after two late hitting errors from Heart Villaflores.
Sam Tiratira, Cris Servidad, and Villaflores then connived for a 4–0 closing run to seal the two-hour-and-29-minute classic.
“Ang sinasabi ko lang sa mga players ko ‘pag maglalaro kami, lalo na kapag ‘yung talagang magagaling na team gaya ng UST ay i-challenge nila ‘yung sarili nila kasi wala namang mawawala,” said long-time head coach Obet Javier.
“Katulad niyan, maganda ang pagkapanalo namin. Kumbaga, yung confidence ng bata tumataas; and yun lang naman ang habol namin,” the multi-titled mentor added.
Servidad paced the Lady Chiefs with 25 points on 19 kills and six blocks, including two crucial hits in the closing moments. Villaflores added 24 points on 19 spikes, two blocks, and three service aces, while Tiratira chipped in six points in the final three sets.
Setter Catherine Domasig also steadied Arellano with 24 excellent sets.
The Lady Chiefs will try to make it three straight wins when they face rival De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde on Saturday, August 29, at 10 a.m. at the same venue.
Angge Poyos nearly posted a double-double for UST with 23 points and seven digs, but the Golden Tigresses fell to 1–1.
UST will look to bounce back against Perpetual on Sunday, August 30, at noon.
Later in the day, Perpetual had to fend off a late San Beda rally in the fourth set to secure its first victory of the tournament.
With outside hitter Jem Menor getting checked twice by the San Beda defense in the endgame, Camille Bustamante eventually came through with the clinching kill.
“Actually, ang pinaka-adjustment ko lang is yung rotation ng players — naghahanap pa talaga ako ng tamang tao sa loob. Marami pa ring (aayusin). Salamat at nakuha yung panalo, pero pakiramdam as a coach, talo pa rin kasi marami pa ring errors,” said head coach Sandy Rieta.
Menor finished with 16 points, all from attacks, while Cyrille Almeñiana added 17 markers and six digs.
Collete Gaa dished out 17 excellent sets, while libero Joanna Lozano anchored the defense with 19 digs and 25 excellent receptions.
The Lady Altas will shoot for back-to-back wins when they take on UST on August 30 at noon.
Janelle Bachar led San Beda with 15 points, including 13 attacks, while Daisy Cagas added 11. Angel Habacon made her season debut with seven markers.
The Lady Red Spikers slipped to 0–2 and will try to arrest their skid against the University of the East Lady Warriors earlier that day at 10 a.m.
