Reporting note: this article draws on tiebreakertimes.com.ph; LodiScore provides the summary and editorial framing.
All-UAAP Championship Clash Locked in at FilOil Centre
Who doesn't love a classic UAAP rivalry for all the marbles? The stage is officially set for the 2026 V-League Collegiate Challenge Finals after University of Santo Tomas (UST) and defending champion Adamson University both swept their semifinal rivals on Saturday at the FilOil Centre in San Juan.
UST punched the opening ticket with an emphatic 25–16, 25–21, 25–15 victory over Arellano University. Just a couple of hours later, Adamson took care of business against the University of the East (UE) Lady Warriors with a 25–21, 25–17, 25–20 straight-sets win. Now, the Golden Tigresses and Lady Falcons will clash in a best-of-three championship series starting Wednesday, October 7, at the same venue.
Golden Tigresses Flex Net Defense Against Arellano
UST leaned hard on its net defense to completely shut down the Lady Chiefs in the third set. Marga Altea and Zinny Unekwe took over above the tape, while setter Cassie Carballo even added a cheeky net kill to establish an early 8–2 lead. Altea went on a personal three-point scoring run midway through the frame—snagging another block and two quick putaways—to extend the advantage to 16–9 before closing it out.
Reg Jurado anchored UST on both ends of the floor, posting a game-high 19 points on 16 attacks, one block, two aces, and five digs. Altea added 13 points with four rejections and eight excellent receptions, while Angge Poyos also chipped in 13 markers. Keisha Abitria led Arellano off the bench with nine points.
“Siyempre, happy kami, especially yung mga players kasi nga medyo shaky kami buong eliminations. Pero good thing na nakapag-perform kami nang maayos,” said UST head coach Shaq Delos Santos. “Not enough do’n sa gusto naming mangyari, but good sign siya na may future ‘yung team.”
Nitura Returns as Adamson Handles UE
In the second match, Adamson welcomed back team captain and Alas Pilipinas hitter Shaina Nitura into the starting rotation. The Lady Falcons shook off early jitters in the opening frame before steadying the ship behind Frances Mordi and playmaker Fhei Sagaysay. Janna Dizon eventually capped off the first-set comeback with a service ace.
Adamson carried that momentum into the next two sets with relentless floor and net coverage. Nitura put on an all-around clinic in her first full game back, finishing with 13 kills, 15 digs, and nine excellent receptions. Mordi paced the Lady Falcons with 14 points, while Lhouriz Tuddao and Eloi added 12 and six points, respectively. Edcynth Brago top-scored for UE with nine points.
“Happy ako kasi collectively binubuhat talaga nila ‘yung team. Bawat posisyon may ginagawa talaga and gusto talaga nilang manalo,” Nitura said after the sweep.
What’s Next: Finals Opener and Bronze Medal Match
With the championship matchup locked in, UST and Adamson head into Game 1 of the best-of-three Finals on Wednesday, October 7. Before that headline battle, Arellano and UE will face off to decide third place.
