University of Santo Tomas bounced back from a deflating straight-set loss to University of Perpetual Help System DALTA by venting its ire on Colegio de San Juan de Letran, while University of the East rallied from the brink to stun the Lady Altas in a crucial day of action in the 2026 V-League Collegiate Challenge on Sunday at Gameville Central Park in Mandaluyong City.
UST cruised past Letran, 25-21, 25-19, 25-19, to improve to 3-2 and strengthen its bid for a semifinals berth, climbing to third in the standings.
“Siyempre una, masaya kasi nanalo kami. To be honest, I think siguro ‘yung gusto namin is mas mapaganda pa ‘yung nilalaro namin, mag-improve pa para sa mga susunod pa naming laro,” said UST head coach Shaq delos Santos.
The Golden Tigresses dominated the Lady Knights with a 41-33 advantage in attacks, an 8-1 edge in blocks, and a 6-5 cushion in aces in the one-hour, 22-minute victory.
Ashlee Knop led UST with a game-high 14 points on 13 attacks and one ace, while Kim Rubin added eight markers. Marga Altea and Erica Gutierrez chipped in seven and six points, respectively, as the Golden Tigresses’ balanced offensive attack kept Letran from finding its footing.
Judiel Nitura paced the winless Lady Knights with 11 points, while Carlyn Tizon contributed 10.
(C) V-League
Later in the day, UE kept its own semifinal hopes alive after overcoming a costly 43 errors to stun Perpetual, 22-25, 25-22, 25-17, 23-25, 15-12.
The Lady Warriors appeared headed for another heartbreaking five-set defeat after surrendering the fourth set and falling behind 8-12 in the decider.
Instead, UE unleashed a furious 7-0 closing run, with Janessa Buhay and Van Bangayan leading the charge to complete the comeback and snap a three-game skid.
Bangayan exploded for 33 points on 31 attacks, one ace, and one block, while Buhay delivered an all-around performance with 20 points on 13 attacks, six aces, and one block. Buhay also posted 16 excellent receptions and seven excellent digs in two hours and two minutes of action.
“I think it’s about time na finally magising kami kasi pang-ilang fifth-set game na namin, and the last two hindi nanalo. We were able to extend the match, but sa fifth set bumibitaw,” said UE assistant coach Jumbo Dimaculangan.
“It’s a good test of character for the players, yung composure na on how to win in a fifth set. Sabi ko nga, this is a preseason tournament, so we need all the experience that we can get,” he added.
The victory moved UE into a four-way tie for fourth to seventh with College of Saint Benilde, San Beda University, and Perpetual, all carrying identical 2-3 records.
Jennel Arasan steered the Lady Warriors’ offense with 19 excellent sets and two points, while Ange Reyes anchored the defense with 20 excellent receptions and 19 excellent digs.
Edcynth Brago and Francheska Adem added eight and nine points, respectively.
For Perpetual, Cyrille Alemaniana led the way with 13 points, while Jemalyn Menor finished with 11.
The Lady Altas will look to bounce back against Benilde on Saturday at 5 p.m., while UE will battle Letran at 3 p.m. The Lady Knights, meanwhile, will be looking for their first win after falling to 0-5 and officially being eliminated from semifinal contention.
UST will next face UAAP rival Adamson University on September 20 at 5 p.m., with a semifinals berth within reach.
