ARELLANO University kept its perfect record intact in the V-League after outlasting De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde in a five-set thriller at the 2026 V-League Collegiate Challenge on Saturday at Gameville Central Park in Mandaluyong City.
The Lady Chiefs showcased their grit down the stretch to fend off the Lady Blazers, 19-25, 25-17, 34-32, 16-25, 15-7, in a match that lasted exactly two hours.
With the victory, Arellano remained unbeaten at 3-0, while Benilde dropped to 1-2 in the tournament. As of writing, Adamson can still tie Arellano atop the standings, with its game against Colegio de San Juan de Letran currently ongoing.
After surviving a grueling third set that lasted 39 minutes, the Lady Blazers bounced back in the fourth set, capitalizing on the Lady Chiefs’ late miscues to force a decider.
“We’re extremely happy, especially since we faced an NCAA top-caliber team today. Our efforts over the past few days really paid off,” Arellano head coach Obet Javier said.
“I just reminded them why [they lost] in the fourth set ... and heading into the fifth set, I told them that if they want to win, they have to work for it, or else all their efforts would go to waste.”
Leading 11-7 in the final set, the Lady Chiefs never looked back, closing the match with a 4-0 run capped by Cristana Servidad’s corner shot to preserve Arellano’s perfect start.
Samantha Tiratira paced Arellano with 13 points, while Servidad and Catherine Chu chipped in 12 points apiece.
Arellano will look for its fourth straight victory when it faces the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA on Saturday, Sept. 5.
Meanwhile, Mary Borromeo and Camila Bartolome led the Lady Blazers with 18 points each, while Fionna Innocentes added 16 markers.
Benilde will look to bounce back against Adamson on Sunday, Sept. 6, at 5 p.m., still at the same venue.
