San Beda University and University of Perpetual Help System DALTA pulled off upset victories over their UAAP foes on Wednesday, with the Lady Red Spikers outlasting the University of the East Lady Warriors in five sets before the Lady Altas stunned the University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses in the 2026 V-League Collegiate Challenge at Gameville Central Park in Mandaluyong City.
San Beda first survived UE, 25-17, 21-25, 21-25, 20-18, while Perpetual followed it up with a dominant 25-15, 25-18, 25-18 sweep of UST to breathe new life into their respective campaigns.
The back-to-back victories put both teams at 2-2, creating a three-way tie with the Lady Red Spikers and the Golden Tigresses in the third to fifth spots.
Adamson University and Arellano University remain the only unbeaten teams at 4-0.
San Beda leaned on the towering presence of Khim Culanay, who delivered a tournament-high 13 blocks to finish with 22 points in the thrilling five-setter against the Lady Warriors.
The former NCAA Season 101 Volleyball Fiesta 1st Best Middle Blocker from San Beda’s Taytay High School also had eight attacks and an ace.
After dropping their first two games of the tournament, the Lady Red Spikers have now won their last two, including their latest upset of UE.
San Beda took the opening set before UE seized control of the next two frames. The Lady Red Spikers, however, regained their footing in the fourth set and forced a decider behind timely blocks from Culanay.
In the deciding set, San Beda established a 10-6 advantage after Culanay won a joust, only for UE to fight back and tie the game at 14-all following a net fault by Culanay.
The fifth set remained a seesaw affair before a Havanna Macalintal attack error and an Althea Garavillas block allowed San Beda to escape with the victory.
“Nakita naman ‘yong potential ng team at ‘yong adjustment individually na [need i-correct] para tumibay ‘yong team,” San Beda head coach Kungfu Reyes said.
“Ni-remind ko lang kung paano kami mag-ensayo, ’yon ‘yong [dapat] laruin nila… ang maganda, hindi nila binitawan hanggang sa dulo. Nandoon pa ‘yong rookie errors kaya kailangan lang nila maglaro nang maglaro para yung experience mas makuha nila.”
Culanay got ample support from Rochelle Olaguir, who added 18 points and 11 digs, while Daisy Cagas chipped in 15 points. Angel Habacon contributed seven points and 15 receptions.
Rookies Djulianne Goze and Janessa Buhay each scored 18 points for UE, while libero Angge Reyes collected 32 digs and 26 receptions.
(C) V-League Images
Later in the day, Perpetual delivered an even bigger statement against UST, sweeping the Golden Tigresses to regain its winning ways after falling to Arellano on Saturday.
Jem Menor and Camille Bustamante spearheaded the Lady Altas’ charge as they dominated the UAAP contenders from start to finish.
Bustamante put UST further on the ropes in the third set with back-to-back aces that stretched Perpetual’s lead to 21-16. The Golden Tigresses made one last push, but Menor’s crosscourt kill sealed the one-hour, 19-minute victory.
“Pinaghandaan [talaga] yan kasi talagang upset ako noong last game namin. Parang walang nilaro talaga ‘yong mga bata,” Perpetual head coach Sandy Rieta said. “Pinag-aralan namin, nagtulong-tulong kami kung bakit nagkaganon. Laban lang. Matalo at nakita kong lumaban tayo. Happy na ako doon. Nakita ko ‘yong improvement at ‘yong puso natin.”
“Malaking [panalo] ito at siyempre, isa sila sa contender sa UAAP. Sa pagkakatanda ko, this is the first time na nanalo kami against UST pag nagkikita kami,” he added.
Menor paced Perpetual with 16 points on 15 attacks, while Bustamante chipped in 13 points, including three service aces, and 10 digs.
No Golden Tigress reached double figures, with Reg Jurado leading UST with nine points, followed by Marga Altea with eight.
San Beda will look to extend its winning streak against the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde Lady Blazers on Saturday, Sept. 12, at noon.
Perpetual, meanwhile, will face UE on Sunday, Sept. 13, at the same Mandaluyong venue, while UST will look to bounce back against winless Letran at 10 a.m. that day.
