MANILA -- Perpetual Help kept Ateneo de Manila University winless in the 2025 V-League Collegiate Challenge on Sunday, coming away with an impressive sweep at the Paco Arena Events and Sports Center in Manila.
The Lady Altas rebuffed the Blue Eagles' second set challenge en route to a 25-16, 30-28, 25-19 triumph that boosted their hopes of advancing to the semifinals of the eight-team tournament.
It was a bounce-back win for Perpetual Help, after suffering a five-set loss to Letran last week. This time around, they got crucial contributions from Shaila Omipon and Geraldine Palacio in their second set comeback.
Omipon led the charge with 11 points, including nine attacks and two aces, complemented by 11 excellent digs and seven excellent receptions.
With the win, Perpetual improved to a 2-3 record, moving just one game behind Letran (2-2) for fourth place.
READ: Mapua grabs V-League breakthrough, stuns Ateneo in 4 sets
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Perpetual Help celebrates against Ateneo in the 2025 V-League Collegiate Challenge, August 31, 2025 at the Paco Arena Events and Sports Center in Manila. PVL Media
"It's a matter of strong heart. Lagi ko sinasabi sa kanila na huwag natin ibibigay kahit ano mangyari. Manalo or matalo basta ang importante, lalaban at lalaban tayo, which is ‘yon yung nangyari sa game and sa second set," Lady Altas head coach Sandy Rieta said.
In the second set, Ateneo was on the verge of tying the match after a Dona de Leon block and a Charisse Enrico attack error gave the Blue Eagles a 24-20 lead.
But Perpetual surged at the perfect moment, overcoming eight Ateneo set points in the extended second frame.
Back-to-back errors by Gena Hora and Faye Nisperos, along with a Palacio rejection on Ana Hermosura, completed the Lady Altas' remarkable fightback, giving them a two-set advantage.
Perpetual weathered a back-and-forth start in the third set, turning a 13-all deadlock into a pivotal 17-13 lead behind consecutive aces from Omipon.
That run proved decisive as a Pauline Reyes down-the-line kill, an Omipon cutshot, and back-to-back errors by Nisperos sealed the Lady Altas' sweep of the Blue Eagles in just 88 minutes.
Palacio finished with nine points on four blocks, three aces, and two attacks, while Jernalyn Menor and Reyes contributed eight points each.
Charisse Enrico added seven points for Ateneo, including four attacks and three blocks, while Nicollette Gaa delivered 16 excellent sets alongside three points.
Perpetual will look to further strengthen its semifinals bid when it faces Arellano University on Saturday, September 6.
Ateneo, meanwhile, remains winless after losses to top NCAA programs College of Saint Benilde, Mapua University, and now Perpetual.
No Blue Eagle reached double digits, with Nisperos leading the team with seven points on six attacks, while Jihan Chuatico and Chucel Njigha tallied six points each