De La Salle University broke through into the win column, while College of Saint Benilde extended its perfect start after both teams scored victories in the 2026 V-League Collegiate Challenge at Gameville Central Park in Mandaluyong City.
The Green Spikers overcame Mapua University, 21–25, 25–23, 25–18, 25–20, on Sunday to give their new coaching staff its first victory after nearly a month of working together.
“We have been with the team for almost a month, and we have been making adjustments with the system of play. We’re also introducing some combinations and taking out some,” said first assistant coach Godfrey Okumu.
“Also, we didn’t have much time playing together as a team, just scrimmages. So, these (games) gave us a training ground,” added the 2018 PVL Collegiate Challenge champion coach with the University of the Philippines.
After absorbing the first-set loss, La Salle used its second-set escape as fuel and never looked back, with captain and converted outside hitter Issa Ousseini making an impact on both ends of the court.
Ousseini finished with 23 points on 17 attacks, five blocks, and one service ace, while also tallying 14 excellent receptions.
Rui Ventura added 16 markers, most of which came in crucial moments whenever the Cardinals threatened to make a run. Meanwhile, Eugene Gloria delivered a steady two-way performance with seven points, four digs, and 12 excellent receptions.
The Green Spikers improved to 1–1 and will rekindle their rivalry with the University of Santo Tomas Golden Spikers (0–2) on Sunday, August 30, at 5:00 PM.
Patrick Reyes once again carried the fight for Mapua, finishing with 17 points on 15 attacks and two blocks. Then captain Ar-Jay Ramos shook off an injury scare in the second set and returned to finish with 12 markers.
The Cardinals slipped to 0–2 and will try to get back on track when they face the 2–1 National University Bulldogs earlier that same day at 3:00 PM.
Earlier in the day, Benilde overcame a first-set setback and fatigue to turn back Arellano University in five thrilling sets, 25–22, 22–25, 25–20, 22–25, 15–11.
Coming off a four-set, 19–25, 25–22, 25–21, 25–21 victory over Mapua less than 24 hours earlier, the Blazers showed their championship composure to finish their weekend swing with a 2–0 record and take the solo lead.
“Mindset lang yan eh; given na malalakas naman yung katawan ng mga bata. Yung mindset kung paanong magre-respond don sa uncomfortable situation,” said longtime head coach Arnold Laniog.
Benilde appeared poised to close out the match in the fourth set after building a 19–16 lead, but Jiwen Sinuto and the rest of the Chiefs rallied to steal the nearly 40-minute frame and force a decider.
Reymark Betco then poured in most of his team-high 27 points in the fifth set to keep Arellano at bay and steer the Blazers to victory.
Rocky Motol added 24 markers, making up for his miscues in the fourth set with timely hits in the decider, while Chris Villanueva orchestrated Benilde’s offense with 30 excellent sets and two points.
“Tingin ko nakatulong yung core ko last year sa NC na most of the fifth sets namin napanalo,” Laniog also shared.
The Blazers will aim for a third straight win against fellow NCAA side Colegio de San Juan de Letran (1–1) on Saturday at 3:00 PM.
Sinuto led Arellano with 18 points on 16 attacks and two blocks, while team captain Daniel Agovida added 13 points on nine kills and four rejections.
The Chiefs, who dropped to an even 1–1 record, will look to bounce back against the University of Santo Tomas Golden Spikers (0–2) later that day at 5:00 PM, still at the same Mandaluyong venue.
