Reporting note: this article draws on tiebreakertimes.com.ph; LodiScore provides the summary and editorial framing.
Lady Warriors Hold Off Arellano in Straight-Set Nail-Biter
You know those matches where a straight-set sweep doesn't feel anything like a blowout? That was the story on Wednesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre. University of the East bounced back from their tough semifinal loss to Adamson by holding off Arellano University, 25-23, 25-22, 28-26, to lock up the bronze medal in the 2026 V-League Collegiate Challenge.
Every single frame went right down to the wire, but whenever the UE Lady Warriors needed someone to step up and terminate a play, Janessa Buhay was right there waiting.
Buhay Delivers Clutch Heroics in Epic Third Set
Buhay put on an absolute clinic on both sides of the ball. She exploded for a match-high 27 points, hammering down 25 attacks alongside two service aces while also picking up 17 excellent receptions across the one-hour, 37-minute battle. Talk about doing heavy lifting!
The Lady Chiefs refused to go away quietly, pushing UE to the brink in the third frame. Arellano held a 26-25 edge and looked poised to force a fourth set. But Buhay answered immediately with a clutch cross-court rocket to lock things up at 26-all. After Arellano's Catherine Chu sent an attack wide, Buhay went back to the service line and sealed the podium finish with an ice-cold match-ending ace.
“Masaya kami dahil sabi nga namin, thankful kami kay V-League na binigyan kami ng opportunity na makasali,” said UE assistant coach Jerome Guhit. “Sabi nga, kukuha kami ng experience na kailangan namin kasi ang daming bata (sa team) eh. Malaking bagay kasi nga kulang sa experience, tapos makaka-medal ka, parang pampataas ng kumpyansa sa kanila ‘to.”
Supporting Cast and Men's Bronze Result
Van Bangayan provided massive firepower of her own, chipping in 21 points off 19 kills and two aces for UE. Team captain and libero Angge Reyes anchored the back row and transition offense with 27 excellent sets and 14 excellent receptions, while Jennel Arasan added 16 sets.
Chu led Arellano with 12 points and nine receptions, with team captain Kacelyn Punzalan adding 10 markers. Crisanta Servidad scored eight, while Samantha Tiratira and Princess Al-Ag finished with seven and six points, respectively.
Earlier in the day, Colegio de San Juan de Letran secured the men's bronze medal by sweeping College of Saint Benilde, 25-19, 25-17, 25-18. Dave Lardizabal spearheaded the Knights with 19 points on 14 kills and five blocks, while Reymark Betco paced the Blazers with 13 markers in the loss.
