MANILA -- Arellano University asserted its mastery over Mapua University in thrilling fashion on Saturday for a winning start to their campaign in the 2025 V-League Collegiate Challenge at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
The Lady Chiefs completed a reverse sweep, 20-25, 15-25, 26-24, 25-23, 15-13, with veterans Sam Tiratira and Laika Tudlasan leading the way.
Arellano duplicated the result in their last meeting two months ago, when they battled for the bronze in the NCAA women's volleyball tournament. There, they denied the Lady Cardinals a breakthrough podium finish, instead taking a five-set win, 25-27, 25-22, 29-31, 20-25, 15-9.
This time around, Tiratira and Tudlasan were at the forefront for Arellano.
Tiratira provided a strong presence at the net, as the middle blocker and team captain finished with 12 points on nine attacks and three blocks. She also complemented the huge offensive outing from Cris Servidad, who tallied 19 points on 18 spikes and one block.
However, it was the clutch performance from Tudlasan off the bench that turned the tide, helping the Lady Chiefs claim the last three sets. She poured in three of her six points in the fifth and deciding set, steering her side to a marathon victory that lasted two hours and 25 minutes.
Down 11-12, the open hitter answered Raissa Ricablanca's back-to-back kills with a booming spike to tie the decider at 12-all, then equalized again at 13 with a down-the-line hit. Tiratira followed with a key block against Alex Leabres, before Jasmine Gelaga sealed the sweet victory with a well-placed attack.
Action between Mapua and Arellano in the 2025 V-League Collegiate Challenge, August 9, 2025 at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City. PVL Media
"Yung set of players na 'to, may mga bago. So, tinry ko 'yung mga bagong players and nung first two sets, nangangapa pa kasi unang laro nila sa collegiate. Buti 'yung mga players tumugon sa challenge namin na hindi pwedeng ganito lang mangyayari sa 'tin. Nagpa-practice tayo everyday. 'Yun lang ang sinabi ko sa kanila, na maniwala sila sa kakayahan nila," said long-time head coach Obet Javier.
The Lady Cardinals started strong in the opening set, with team captain Ong and Ricablanca leading the offensive charge. The Lady Chiefs fought back, but Mapua's decisive run set the tone for the red-shirts.
Carrying that momentum into the second set, Mapua used well-placed serves to disrupt Arellano's offense. Angellick Gavica and Leabres were relentless from the service line, forcing free balls and creating easy transition points for their side.
Despite a few decent receptions from the Lady Chiefs, their finishing touch was lacking, allowing Mapua to capitalize on counterattacks and build a double-digit lead at 21-11. Ricablanca then anchored the team's first-ball delivery, guiding them to a comfortable 2-0 set advantage.
Arellano, however, responded after a stern talk from the coaches. Despite a spirited fightback from Mapua, the Lady Chiefs pulled through with a comeback.
"Ni-remind lang namin sila na hindi pu-pwedeng ganito ang performance, kahit pa sabihin na panalo na ng dalawang sets 'yung kalaban. Hangga't, sabi nga namin, hindi pa natatapos o hindi pa dine-declare ng officials na tapos na, kailangang mag-focus at bumawi. At gano'n naman 'yung nangyari," added the multi-titled mentor on his team's rally.
Mapua had to recover from a slow start in the third set, eventually building a 22-16 lead, aided by three straight errors from Arellano.
The Lady Chiefs, however, staged a gallant stand, forcing a deuce at 24-all with Tudlasan delivering back-to-back kills. A Heart Villaflores attack gave Arellano the set-point advantage, and Tiratira sealed it with a monster block.