Arellano University asserted its mastery over Mapua University, completing a reverse sweep, 20-25, 15-25, 26-24, 25-23, 15-13, on the opening day of the women's division of the 2025 V-League Collegiate Challenge, Saturday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
It was the Lady Chiefs who denied the Lady Cardinals a breakthrough podium finish in the most recent NCAA season in a similarly thrilling battle for third, 25-27, 25-22, 29-31, 20-25, 15-9, just two months ago. This time, key holdovers Sam Tiratira and Laika Tudlasan made sure they would once again come out on top.
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.
"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.
In the fourth set, Tudlasan, Servidad, and Tiratira combined to give Arellano a sizable lead. Chesca Esteban and Grace Cabadin trimmed the deficit to three at 19-22, but Tudlasan closed out the frame with a booming kill to the back row, preventing Mapua from extending the match.
Ricablanca paced all scorers with 21 points, 18 from attacks, while Ong matched Tiratira’s output with 17 points, including three blocks.
Arellano will have a long break before facing Far Eastern University on August 23 at 5 p.m. at the Paco Arena Sports and Events Center. Mapua, on the other hand, will have a quick turnaround as they take on the same FEU squad this Sunday at 10 a.m., also at the Paco Arena.
