Far Eastern University, determined to move past the heartbreak of last season’s runner-up finish, began its 2025 V-League Collegiate Challenge campaign with a dominant straight-sets win over Mapua University, 25-15, 25-22, 25-21, Sunday at the Paco Arena Sports and Events Center in Manila.
The Lady Tamaraws displayed composure and firepower – especially in the third set– where Congolese opposite Faida Bakanke took over. With the score tied at 15, she delivered three crucial aces in a momentum-shifting run that put FEU ahead, 18-15. From there, the Lady Tams never looked back.
Bakanke finished with an all-around outing of 12 points off six attacks, three blocks and three aces, while also contributing four digs. Mitzi Panangin chipped in 10 points, highlighted by five spikes, three blocks and two aces.
Mapua, led by captain Alyanna Ong, kept the pressure on in the final frame, forcing a 19-all count after an FEU error. But senior setter and team captain Tin Ubaldo orchestrated a decisive 6-2 closing run, capped by a down-the-line hit from Gerzel Petallo to seal the win.
“Yung point lang talaga namin this time is hindi para makabawi, pero para mag-improve lang talaga from last time,” said Ubaldo. “Andyan lang naman ‘yan kung magagawa namin nang maayos. Hindi kami naka-focus do’n sa talagang win, kundi do’n sa process kung paano kami mananalo. Yung pagsali namin rito is hindi do’n sa redemption talaga – for me lang.”
Adamson University delivered a strong message in its return to the V-League Collegiate Challenge, overcoming a shaky start to defeat University of Perpetual Help System DALTA, 22-25, 25-15, 25-16, 25-22.
After dropping the first set due to early jitters and unforced errors, the Lady Falcons bounced back with dominant performances in the second and third frames, then held off a determined stand by the Lady Altas in the fourth to seal the win in one hour and 16 minutes.
With the match hanging in the balance late in the fourth, Eloi Dote stepped up in the clutch, firing back-to-back hits to push Adamson to within two points of victory. Perpetual momentarily threatened at 22-23, but the Lady Falcons kept their composure, capping the match with a clutch block from Red Bascon on Pauline Reyes’ attack.
“It was a great privilege for us, ‘yung opportunity na meron kami na makasali sa mga ganitong tournaments, so that ‘yung mga bata maging experienced. Dito mag-start ‘yung jelling ng team, especially ‘yung relationship nila inside and outside the court,” said Adamson coach JP Yude.
Adamson last saw V-League action in 2023 under former coach Jerry Yee, with veteran setter Louie Romero leading the squad. Now under Yude’s guidance, the Lady Falcons are using the tournament as a crucial tune-up for the UAAP, while giving younger players valuable exposure.
“’Yung mga pinagte-training-an naman, kung ano pa ‘yung mga pwedeng i-adjust dito sa mga games at mga kailangang trabahuhin ng team, para papunta sa UAAP maging pulido na ‘yung galawan,” added Yude.
