Far Eastern University showcased its resilience once again, staving off College of Saint Benilde’s comeback bid to secure its third straight win, 25-22, 25-21, 23-25, 24-26, 15-8, in the 2025 V-League Collegiate Challenge on Sunday afternoon at the Paco Arena Events and Sports Center in Manila.
Coming off a grueling five-set escape against Arellano University just the day before, the Lady Tamaraws refused to buckle despite fatigue and pressure.
Anchored by the power duo of Faida Bakanke and Jaz Ellarina, FEU flexed its composure against the reigning NCAA champions to improve to a 4-1 record at the tournament’s halfway mark.
Bakanke was relentless with 22 points built on 17 attacks, three blocks, and two aces, while Ellarina stayed steady with 21 points, including six blocks. Team captain Tin Ubaldo credited their grit despite the tight schedule:
“Nag-mmatter talaga dito yung consistency and composure. Though pagod kami from last game kasi gabi na kami natapos ,tapos ito morning [game], parang hindi namin pwede i-excuse na pagod kami ulit. Yung may control talaga ng sarili namin is kami, kung paano kami gagalaw,” said Ubaldo.
“Actually, hindi namin sila tinitignan as NCAA team ‘lang’ kasi lahat feel namin magkaka-level dito. Galing ‘man sa NCAA or UAAP, same lang. Nagte-training din kaming lahat at magagaling din sila sa NCAA,” she added.
FEU flirted with disaster after squandering match points in the third and fourth sets, but a fifth-set surge sealed the deal. Ellarina’s back-to-back kills, a Lovely Lopez down-the-line hit, and a Bakanke crosscourt bomb pushed the Lady Tamaraws to an 11-5 lead.
Benilde fought back, but FEU regained control through another Ellarina attack and a key block by Bakanke. The team then capitalized on a service error by Camila Bartolome to wrap up the match in two hours and five minutes.
Lopez marked her 20th birthday with nine points and 15 excellent receptions, while Kyla Petallo stood out defensively with 14 points, 22 receptions, and 10 digs.
Ubaldo orchestrated with 26 excellent sets and three points, and Margarett Encarnacion added a game-high 17 receptions.
Benilde, once undefeated at 3-0, absorbed its second straight loss to slide to 3-2.
Zam Nolasco delivered 21 points, while Rhea Densing and Shekinah Lleses chipped in 16 and 13 points, respectively, but it wasn’t enough to stop FEU’s march.
The Lady Tamaraws will try to extend their winning streak on Tuesday, August 26, against University of Perpetual Help System DALTA, still at the Paco Arena.
(C) V-League Images
Earlier in the day, Colegio de San Juan de Letran swept Mapua University, 25-19, 25-23, 25-18, to post back-to-back wins and solidify its hold of fourth place.
The Lady Knights, who were fresh from a tough five-set triumph over Perpetual Help, leaned on the firepower of Judiel Nitura, Sheena Sarie, and Gia Maquilang to climb to an even 2-2 card.
Nitura fired 16 points, Sarie added 15 markers with 10 excellent receptions, and Maquilang chipped in 13 points and 10 digs. Setter Natalie Esteller tallied 18 excellent sets and scored five points to keep Letran’s offense fluid.
Mapua tried to rally, even taking an 11-9 lead in the third frame and battling back in the second set to level at 21-all, but the Lady Knights’ composure showed. A 10-3 run, sparked by Sarie and Nitura, closed out the third set, while clutch plays from Nitura and Maquilang iced the second.
“We played very well today. I told the girls we needed to finish this game in three sets, and they delivered. Yesterday was a tough five-setter, but today we were much smoother,” said Letran head coach Aleksi Lähteenmäki.
With the victory, Letran eyes a crucial duel against unbeaten Adamson University on Wednesday, September 3.
Mapua remained winless at 0-4 despite Nicole Ong’s 11 points, including six blocks, and solid outings from Freighanne Garcia and Raissa Ricablanca, who added eight points apiece.
