Arellano University was unbeaten until Sunday, September 20. San Beda University changed that with a 25-20, 25-11, 20-25, 25-23 win in the 2026 V-League Collegiate Challenge at Gameville Central Park in Mandaluyong City.

The victory lifted the Lady Red Spikers to an even 3-3 record and kept their semifinals hopes alive. Arellano fell to 5-1 in its first loss of the tournament.

San Beda vs. Arellano: Habacon, Bachar and Bulak Power the Upset

Senior wing spiker Angel Habacon paced San Beda with 21 points on 18 attacks, one block and two service aces. She also added 10 digs and nine excellent receptions to nearly post a triple-double.

Janelle Bachar came out on fire and finished with 19 points. Together, she and Habacon combined for 40 points. Setter Jan Rose Bulak drilled seven service aces and added 12 excellent sets.

Arellano did not go quietly, though. The Lady Chiefs took the third set and pushed the fourth to a 25-23 finish. Cris Servidad led Arellano with 16 points, while Heart Villaflores and Catherine Chu added 11 markers apiece.

V-League Semifinals Push: Mape Credits Confidence Before Adamson Game

Head coach Benjamin Mape, who once again took the reins from head coach Kungfu Reyes, credited the team’s growing confidence after its first win over rival Colegio de San Juan de Letran. That belief carried over into the win against Arellano.

Mape pointed to the team’s mindset. “Importante kasi dito is yung communication and yung self-confidence, which is na-develop naman. At saka yung problem solving: every situation kasi we solve the problem within,” he said.

San Beda will try to secure a semifinals berth against Adamson University on Sunday, Sept. 27, at noon. Arellano, now 5-1, will look to bounce back against the University of the East on Saturday at 10 a.m.