Far Eastern University and Adamson University made strong statements in their respective opening matches of the 2025 V-League Collegiate Challenge, setting the stage for an early UAAP rivalry clash on Tuesday.
The Lady Tamaraws, eager to move past the sting of last season’s runner-up finish, unleashed a dominant straight-sets victory over Mapua University, 25-15, 25-22, 25-21, Sunday at the Paco Arena Sports and Events Center in Manila.
Hours later, the Lady Falcons marked their return to the V-League with a gritty four-set win over University of Perpetual Help System DALTA, 22-25, 25-15, 25-16, 25-22, in the same venue.
FEU showcased composure and firepower from start to finish, particularly in the third set where Congolese opposite Faida Bakanke took control.
With the score knotted at 15, Bakanke delivered three straight aces in a momentum-turning stretch that gave FEU an 18-15 cushion.
She finished with a well-rounded 12 points on six attacks, three blocks, and three aces, plus four digs. Mitzi Panangin added 10 points, including five spikes, three blocks, and two aces.
Mapua, led by captain Alyanna Ong, battled back to force a 19-all tie in the third set after an FEU error.
But senior setter and captain Tin Ubaldo calmly steered the Lady Tams to a decisive 6-2 closing run, capped by Gerzel Petallo’s down-the-line kill.
“Yung point lang talaga namin this time is hindi para makabawi, pero para mag-improve lang talaga from last time,” said Ubaldo. “Hindi kami naka-focus do’n sa talagang win, kundi do’n sa process kung paano kami mananalo. Yung pagsali namin rito is hindi do’n sa redemption talaga – for me lang.”
The Lady Tams also dominated the opening set with an 8-3 finishing run sparked by Madane David and Frenchie Premaylon.
In Set 2, they withstood a spirited Mapua rally that trimmed a 16-8 lead to 21-22 before regaining control.
No Lady Cardinal reached double figures, with Ong and Zyra Morales scoring eight each.
(C) V-League
Meanwhile, Adamson overcame a sluggish start against Perpetual to notch its first win.
After dropping the opening frame due to errors and jitters, the Lady Falcons roared back in the next two sets with steady play on both ends.
In the fourth, Eloi Dote delivered clutch back-to-back hits to bring Adamson within two points of victory before Red Bascon’s block sealed the match in 1 hour and 16 minutes.
“It was a great privilege for us, ‘yung opportunity na meron kami na makasali sa mga ganitong tournaments, so that ‘yung mga bata maging experienced,” said JP Yude. “Dito mag-start ‘yung jelling ng team, especially ‘yung relationship nila inside and outside the court.”
Team captain and setter Fhei Sagaysay orchestrated the offense with poise, feeding top scorers Frances Mordi – who exploded for 22 points with 17 attacks, two blocks, and three aces – and rookie standout Abegail Segui, who chipped in 17.
MG Del Moral added eight markers in her collegiate debut.
Perpetual’s Shai Omipon led her team with 10 points, while Jernalyn Menor added nine, but the Lady Altas fell short in the endgame for their second straight loss.
