Far Eastern University averted an upset and completed a reverse sweep over Arellano University, 23-25, 24-26, 25-9, 25-22, 15-12, to claim back-to-back wins at the 2025 V-League Collegiate Challenge on Saturday at the Paco Arena Sports and Events Center in Manila.
Jaz Ellarina spearheaded the Lady Tamaraws’ comeback, helping them overcome the gutsy Lady Chiefs for a 3-1 win-loss record and a share of second place with De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde. The opposite hitter-turned-middle blocker finished with 20 points across four sets, fueled by 16 attacks, three blocks, and one service ace.
FEU and Benilde are set to face off on Sunday at noon at the same Paco venue to break the tie.
With the Lady Chiefs applying pressure in the fourth and fifth sets, setter Tin Ubaldo relied on Ellarina and Gerzel Petallo down the stretch to quell the fightback and secure FEU’s comeback in two hours and 12 minutes.
“Bago mag-third set, parang tinanong ng coaches na ‘Gusto niyo bang manalo?’ Doon lang kami nagising na, oo nga no, bakit ganito ‘yung laro natin; hindi naman tayo ganito. So parang do’n kami mas lalong nagising para ilabas ‘yung laro talaga namin,” Ellarina said.
Arellano made the most of their rest since the season opener, surprising FEU with a game plan that perfectly suited their offensive strategies. The Lady Chiefs capitalized on timing the Lady Tamaraws’ blocks and converting those opportunities into points.
FEU, led by middle blockers Ellarina and Mitzi Panangin, eventually adjusted their blocking formation. The tweaks improved both their floor defense and offense, enabling them to sweep the next three sets.
Panangin contributed 17 points, while Lovely Lopez added 10, with the duo combining for eight of FEU’s 13 blocks compared to Arellano’s four. Grazel Petallo also scored 11 points, including four of the team’s service aces.
For Arellano, Laica Tudlasan exploded for 22 points—all from attacks—but the Lady Chiefs slipped to an even 1-1 record.
(C) V-League Images
Meanwhile, Colegio de San Juan de Letran entered the win column after surviving a dramatic five-set showdown against NCAA rival University of Perpetual Help System DALTA, 25-16, 25-15, 20-25, 21-25, 15-17, in the preliminary round at the same venue.
Vanessa Sarie came off the bench in the deciding set to set the tone for the Lady Knights, while Judiel Nitura delivered the finishing blows in a match that lasted two hours and two minutes.
The victory gave Letran, now 1-2, its first win of the tournament and marked the maiden triumph in the Philippines for newly installed head coach Aleksi Lahteenmaki.
“A win is a win, though it’s not a beautiful game for us. We played well in the first sets, but starting the third set, I don’t know, maybe the players were too relaxed thinking it will be easy for us. The opponents served very well; they broke our rhythm in the game. But at the end of the game, I’m happy I got this result,” said the Finnish tactician.
The Lady Knights surged to a 2-0 advantage behind the offensive firepower of wing spikers Nitura and Gia Maquilang, leaving the Lady Altas scrambling for defensive solutions.
Nitura finished with an impressive 24 points on 20 attacks and four blocks, along with four digs and one excellent reception.
Maquilang provided solid support with 21 points, including four service aces. Sarie, still nursing a shoulder injury, contributed five crucial markers in the deciding frame.
Perpetual managed to claw back in the third and fourth sets, largely thanks to Shai Omipon, who scored most of her 10 points during the rally.
Camille Bustamante led the Lady Altas with 11 points, while Joanna Lozano anchored the defense with 24 digs and 21 excellent receptions.
