Reporting note: this article draws on tiebreakertimes.com.ph; LodiScore provides the summary and editorial framing.
Top Seeds Dominate Opening Salvos in San Juan
Did anyone really expect anything less from the tournament heavyweights? The top two seeds in the 2026 V-League Collegiate Challenge made quick work of their semifinal openers on Wednesday at the Playtime FilOil Centre in San Juan City. Both Adamson University and the University of Santo Tomas rolled to commanding straight-set victories, putting themselves just one win away from setting up a blockbuster Finals showdown.
Defending champion Adamson opened the double-header by brushing aside the University of the East (UE) Lady Warriors, 25-23, 25-17, 25-17, before UST tore through the Arellano University Lady Chiefs in just over an hour with an emphatic 25-12, 25-18, 25-13 victory.
Adamson Stifles UE Behind Mordi's Complete Game
The Lady Falcons had to shake off early rust in the opening frame, finding themselves locked at 23-all before Frances Mordi stepped up with the ice-breaker and set-clinching kill. From there, Adamson turned on the cruise control.
With Alas Pilipinas standout and team captain Shaina Nitura back in the lineup, Adamson dominated the net. Mordi delivered a stellar all-around match report on the stat sheet, racking up 22 points off 16 attacks, three blocks, and three service aces while adding 10 excellent receptions. Middle blocker Eloi Dote anchored a massive wall with five of the team's 14 blocks on her way to seven points, completely neutralizing UE’s offense. The Lady Warriors managed only 28 total team kills across three sets.
“Siguro, number one thing is yung kumpiyansa na nanalo today. And then, how we worked on doon sa mga lapses at pag-adjust namin. Nag-adjust sila agad,” said Adamson head coach JP Yude. “But I’m not really satisfied kasi I know them, how they can play, so ‘yon, we’ll work on that.”
Lhouriz Tuddao and Lana Barrera chipped in six points each, while Nitura contributed five attacks in the final frame. Janessa Buhay paced UE with 12 points, but senior hitter Van Bangayan was held to just eight.
Poyos, Golden Tigresses Overpower Arellano
If Adamson’s win was about controlling the tempo, UST’s sweep was pure high-speed demolition. The Golden Tigresses pounced immediately on Arellano’s shaky reception, opening double-digit margins early in the first set behind Angge Poyos’ booming hits and pinpoint serves.
Arellano showed a bit more fight in the second set to stay within striking distance, but UST’s defense adjusted quickly to shut down any hope of a comeback. In the third frame, team captain Reg Jurado sparked a quick run to make it 20-9, and Ella Gutierrez capped off the blowout with a cross-court spike.
Poyos finished with a game-high 19 points built on 16 attacks, three aces, and nine digs. Marga Altea backed her up with 15 markers, including three blocks, while Jurado tallied a solid 11-point, 13-dig double-double.
“Siguro ‘yung percentage ng performance namin is nagiging good, tumataas. And siyempre ‘yung pag-adapt nila sa system, slowly naiintindihan nila ‘yung gusto naming mangyari. Lahat ng nakita natin kanina, talagang in-invest namin ‘yan sa training,” UST head coach Shaq Delos Santos noted.
Princess Al-ag led Arellano with seven points as no Lady Chief cracked double digits.
What's Next?
Can the underdogs force a deciding Game 3, or will the favorites stamp their tickets to the championship round? Both best-of-three series resume on Saturday at the Playtime FilOil Centre. UST takes on Arellano at 3 p.m., followed by Adamson battling UE at 5 p.m.
