Adamson nears V-League semis after 4th straight win

MANILA — Defending champion Adamson University moved within one victory of a semifinal berth in the 2026 V-League Collegiate Challenge after turning back College of Saint Benilde, 24-26, 25-17, 25-18, 25-23, at Gameville Central Park in Mandaluyong City. The Lady Falcons remained unbeaten at 4-0, tightening their grip on a semifinal spot as they continued their dominant title defense. One more victory will formally secure their place in the Final Four. After dropping a tight opening set, Adamson seized control of the next two frames before showing its composure against a determined Benilde side in the fourth. The Lady Falcons had three opportunities to close out the match, but the Lady Blazers repeatedly kept the ball alive and denied Frances Mordi's attempts to deliver the finishing blow. With the score tied at 24-all, Mordi finally broke through to regain the lead for Adamson before Kamille Dionisio sealed the victory with a kill block. 'Thankful sa Lord and grateful of how the girls responded sa tough times and every time, kung sino man lang ipasok sa court. And that's all I wanted: that everyone helps the team, that everyone contributes to the team,' Adamson coach JP Yude said. Mordi powered the Lady Falcons with a game-high 23 points on 20 attacks, two blocks and an ace, while Lana Barrera supplied 16 points and eight excellent receptions. Setters Fhei Sagaysay and Ysabella Sapienza kept Adamson's offense humming as they combined for 24 excellent sets. Mhonniecka Soliven paced Benilde with 15 points and led three Lady Blazers who scored in double figures, but the team was undermined by 29 errors that prevented it from sustaining its challenge against the defending champions. Meanwhile, San Beda University finally barged into the win column after surviving Colegio de San Juan de Letran in a five-set thriller, 18-25, 25-18, 25-23, 16-25, 18-16. The Lady Red Spikers improved to 1-2 after weathering a tense deciding set, with Angel Habacon, Daisy Cagas and Kim Culanay delivering crucial plays down the stretch./PN