By: Joaquin Cortez
Colegio de San Juan de Letran ended De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde’s perfect run, while Arellano University kept the University of Santo Tomas winless after contrasting five-set victories on Saturday in the 2026 V-League Collegiate Challenge at Gameville Central Park in Mandaluyong City.
Letran rallied from a 2-1 set deficit to stun Benilde, 25-27, 22-25, 23-25, 27-25, 15-13, while Arellano survived a late UST fightback, 23-25, 25-22, 25-16, 13-25, 15-12.
The results left no undefeated teams in the division, with the Knights climbing to the top of the standings at 3-1 after winning three straight following their tournament-opening loss. The Chiefs improved to 2-1, while the Blazers dropped to 2-1 and the Golden Spikers remained winless at 0-3.
Letran’s victory also served as a measure of revenge against Benilde, which swept the Knights in the NCAA Season 101 semifinals in March before eventually claiming the 2026 title.
The Knights drew first blood before the Blazers responded with two straight-set victories to take a 2-1 lead.
Tied at 11-all in the fourth set, Benilde unleashed a 9-3 run capped by a Rocky Motol kill. Letran refused to go away, however, answering with a crucial 10-4 spurt. Reymark Betco’s attack sailed long to knot the set at 24-all.
The two teams then traded points before Vince Himzon delivered a kill, followed by another Betco attack that went long, forcing a deciding fifth set.
In the final frame, a Betco kill and a Himzon attack gave Letran a 14-12 cushion before another quick attack from Himzon sealed the victory and ended Benilde’s perfect run.
“Kasi diba [‘yong] first set nakuha namin, tapos medyo nag-relax sila. Akala kasi nila ‘yong kalaban ay magiging go-easy sa kanila. Syempre champion ng NCAA, so hindi natin pwedeng i-easy-easy lang,” Letran head coach Jessie Lopez said.
“Kailangan lang nilang maintindihan na ‘yong ginagawa namin every day sa training is gagawin mo [rin] sa game. Hindi puwede na may sistema kaming ginagawa sa training, tapos iba lang ang gagawin mo sa game,” he added.
Dave Lardizabal spearheaded the Knights with 24 points, while Himzon and Jessel Nimmo added 15 markers apiece. Motol led Benilde with 19 points, followed by Betco with 16.
(C) V-League
Later in the evening, Arellano needed five sets to keep UST from breaking through for its first win of the tournament.
The Golden Spikers overcame a 2-1 deficit to force a deciding fifth set, with John Catinsag delivering a pivotal service ace during their comeback.
Arellano, however, regained control in the final frame and built a 10-6 lead following a CJ Dominguito off-the-block conversion.
UST mounted one last push after Jiwen Sinuto committed an attack error, but Gboy de Vega’s service error ultimately ended the Golden Spikers’ comeback bid after two hours and eight minutes of action.
“One point lang lagi at the time. Tapos mag-focus lang kami, point by point. Tapos sana, ang importante eh, 100% effort talaga para makuha naman ang panalo lang,” Arellano head coach Bryan Vitug said. “Kada point talaga dapat tinatrabaho, hindi basta-basta [nawawala ang] focus.”
Dominguito led the Chiefs with 21 points, while Arvin Garcia added 11. De Vega paced UST with 18 points, while JJ Macam and Trevor Valera chipped in 16 apiece and Catinsag finished with 10.
Letran will look to extend its winning streak to four when it faces De La Salle University on Sunday, Sept. 6, at noon at Gameville Central Park.
Benilde, meanwhile, will try to bounce back against reigning V-League champions Far Eastern University on Sunday at 10 a.m. at the same venue.
Arellano will next face De La Salle University on Saturday, Sept. 5, at 10 a.m., while UST will have two weeks to regroup before returning to action against the Mapua University Cardinals on Saturday, Sept. 12, at 3 p.m.
