National University and Arellano University opened their respective 2026 V-League Collegiate Challenge campaigns on winning notes, with the Bulldogs surviving University of Santo Tomas in five sets and the Chiefs turning back Colegio de San Juan de Letran in four on Saturday at Gameville Central Park in Mandaluyong City.

NU showed immense championship composure to deny UST a comeback, 25–16, 25–15, 20–25, 22–25, 16–14, in a nearly two-hour battle.

Playing with its Alas Pilipinas quartet of Peng Taguibolos, Leo Ordiales, Buds Buddin, and Jade Disquitado for the first time in three campaigns, the Bulldogs leaned on their national team-caliber core to finish the match after surrendering a two-set lead.

Down 9–12 in the decider, Ordiales and Disquitado made up for their previous errors as they helped NU turn the tables and take a 13–12 lead, putting the Bulldogs within striking distance of victory.

Al Bukhaire Sali and Kris Hernandez tried to keep the Golden Spikers in the fight, but a net fault by GBoy De Vega handed the match-point advantage back to NU.

Disquitado then denied Sali’s attempt to end the match, helping the Bulldogs escape with the win. He finished with 15 points, including three blocks.

(C) V-League Images

“Siguro nung bandang huli pinakita nila ‘yung experience nila tsaka ‘yung championship pedigree nila sa bandang huli,” said acting coach Dong Dela Cruz, who is filling in for head coach Dante Alinsunurin, as he currently handles PVL club duties.

“Kasi nitong mga nakaraan, hindi sila pinapayagan ng national team, kaya wala kaming choice kundi i-enter yung ibang players namin. Ngayon, pinayagan na sila sa national team, kaya kumpleto kaming lahat,” the former national team deputy added.

Ordiales led NU with 19 points, including 17 from attacks, while Buddin and Taguibolos contributed 11 and seven markers, respectively. Greg Ancheta, the latest addition to the NU contingent on the national team, added 17 excellent sets and four points.

Sali paced UST with 17 points, while Hernandez had 10 markers in four sets and De Vega contributed 12 points and 11 excellent receptions.

NU will have less than 24 hours to recover before facing 2023 champions De La Salle University on Sunday at 5:00 PM. UST, meanwhile, will take on Letran at 3:00 PM.

(C) V-League Images

Arellano earlier secured its own opening-day victory, stopping Letran, 25–21, 18–25, 25–20, 30–28.

The Chiefs had to fend off a determined Knights side in a marathon 37-minute fourth set, with CJ Dominguito delivering the finishing touches to deny Letran a chance to force a decider.

“Maganda nilaro ng team namin, pero marami pang dapat i-improve. Kaya malaki talagang tulong ‘tong V-League kasi preparation namin sa NCAA,” said Budo Antiquera, who served as Arellano’s acting head coach with Bryan Vitug out of town for PVL duties with Nxled.

“Gagawin lang ng mga players yung mga dapat naming i-improve. Gagawin lang nila sa practice and then i-a-apply dito, para preparation sa NCAA talaga,” he added.

Dominguito paced the Chiefs with 21 points on 19 attacks, one block, and one service ace, while John Lester Calura chipped in 15 points and provided crucial support in the tight fourth set.

Arellano will shoot for a second straight win against reigning NCAA champions De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde on August 23 at 10:00 AM.

The defeat spoiled the Letran debut of head coach Jessie Lopez, although newly-minted captain Dave Lardizabal delivered a strong performance with 26 points in his new role as opposite hitter. Former skipper Vince Himzon added 14 points.

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After 12 years, the National Collegiate Athletic Association of the Philippines is returning to the MVP Group.

The NCAA officially named Cignal TV as its new broadcast partner, with the agreement finalized on Wednesday.

The partnership will begin with Season 102 under Season 103 with Cignal airing the Seniors Basketball, Women’s Volleyball, and Cheerleading Competition.

The announcement came a day after the 80th birthday of MediaQuest chairman Manny V. Pangilinan, making the occasion even more significant.

Pangilinan is a distinguished alumnus of San Beda University, the host school for NCAA Season 102.

“We’ve long been eyeing the NCAA to be added to our growing ledger of sports properties. Here in Cignal, we are sports, and we welcome you to your new home,” said MediaQuest Holdings Inc. Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan.

This athletic year’s theme is “Strive. Believe. Unite.”

“We are delighted to find the best home for the NCAA with Cignal, and we’re overjoyed to begin a new chapter in the storied history of the league. We believe this collaboration will strengthen Philippine sports and we look forward to a fruitful and meaningful collaboration with Cignal,” said NCAA Philippines Policy Board President Fr. Aloysius Maranan, OSB of host San Beda.

The last time the NCAA partnered with the MVP Group was from Seasons 88 to 90, when its games were aired on AKTV on IBC before moving to AksyonTV.

Since then, the league’s broadcasts have been handled by ABS-CBN Sports from Seasons 91 to 95 and GMA from Seasons 96 to 101.

The NCAA narrowed its search for a new broadcast partner to two finalists: Cignal TV and the Bilyonaryo-Abante Group.

According to multiple sources closely monitoring the negotiations, the NCAA ultimately chose Cignal TV because of its sports broadcasting expertise.

With the deal, Cignal TV now serves as the home of both the UAAP and the NCAA, further cementing its position as the home of collegiate sports in the Philippines.

It also marks the first time both collegiate leagues will be carried by the same network since the NCAA and the UAAP were both under ABS-CBN Sports.

“This partnership with the NCAA strengthens Cignal’s dedication to bringing only the best for Philippine sports and elevating it to new heights. We’re very thankful that you’ve entrusted us with this responsibility of covering the NCAA,” said MediaQuest Holdings Inc. President and CEO Ricky Vargas.

“Cignal is ready to bring the NCAA to the next level and we’re elated to bring the action to reach more audiences through our platforms,” added MediaQuest Holdings Inc. Chief Financial Officer & Cignal Officer-in-Charge Christopher Lizo.

NCAA Season 102 will open on September 13 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

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Far Eastern University dug deep to stun unbeaten University of the Philippines, 85-76, spoiling the Fighting Maroons’ bid for a perfect elimination-round campaign in the 19th Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup in San Juan on Tuesday.

Mo Konateh delivered 24 points and 13 rebounds, outplaying UP’s frontline and helping FEU snap a three-game losing streak.

Kirby Mongcopa added 21 points and seven rebounds, scoring nine during the Tamaraws’ explosive 28-point third quarter that turned a slim 44-41 halftime deficit into a 67-58 advantage. FEU stretched the lead to as much as 81-66 with 4:50 remaining.

Jorick Bautista contributed 16 points, five rebounds, and three assists, while Janrey Pasaol chipped in 14 points and four rebounds as the Tamaraws improved to 2-3 in the premier preseason tournament.

Sean Alter was the lone bright spot for the top-seeded Fighting Maroons (5-1), finishing with 19 points and five rebounds off the bench.

Meanwhile, College of Saint Benilde dashed Jose Rizal University’s hopes of securing the No. 1 seed in the NCAA Group, escaping with an 81-80 overtime victory.

Allen Liwag scored the game-winning putback with 3.0 seconds left in overtime to help St. Benilde cap its up-and-down preseason campaign on a winning note at 5-4. The reigning back-to-back NCAA MVP finished with 20 points, five rebounds, and four blocks.

Justine Sanchez also stepped up with 13 points and five assists, including the game-tying jumper with 27.0 seconds left in regulation that forced overtime at 73-all.

“We went to two of the guys we really trust. We went to Ian [Torres] and Allen. They’re gonna make a play out of that. Obviously we really trust both of them to make good decisions, to make big plays, and Allen made the shot,” said coach Paolo Layug.

JRU (7-2) squandered its opportunity to lock up the top seed despite 17-point outings from Lawrence Mangubat and Sean Salvador.

In the day’s other game, Arellano University finally broke into the win column, routing fellow winless San Sebastian College-Recoletos, 103-78.

T-Mc Ongotan and EJ Geronimo made sure the Chiefs would not be denied this time, with Ongotan tallying 17 points and three steals, while Geronimo added 15 points and four assists as Arellano picked up its first victory after nine games.

Christian Ricio scored 14 points, while Neil Castor added 12 for the Golden Stags, who wrapped up another winless preseason campaign.

The Scores:

First Game:
Arellano 103 – Ongotan 17, Geronimo 15, Abiera 13, Libang 10, Camay 8, Manansala 6, Flores 6, Barraca 6, Ladica 5, Langit 4, Borromeo 4, Vinoya 3, Anama 3, Buenaventura 2, Hernal 1, Demetria 0.
San Sebastian 78 – Ricio 14, Castor 12, Bacani 11, Muktimar 8, Gabat 7, Ynot 7, Barroga 6, Alforque 3, Salvo 3, Gomez De Liaño 3, Acosta 2, Segovia 2, Suico 0, Chiudian 0.
Quarterscores: 33-20, 52-38, 76-59, 103-78.

Second Game:
Saint Benilde 81 – Liwag 20, Sanchez 13, Moore 12, Torres 9, Daja 9, Jucom 4, Gonzaga 4, Celis 4, Cajucom 2, Baliquig 2, Go 2, Podador 0, Arciaga 0, Lorenzo 0.
Jose Rizal 80 – Salvador 17, Mangubat 17, Laurenaria 16, Agemenyi 7, Eligado 6, Garcia 5, Palis 4, Bagro 2, Lozano 2, Garupil 2, Masiglat 2, Herrera 0, Panapanaan 0, Duque 0.
Quarterscores: 16-17, 32-39, 51-60, 73-73, 81-80.

Third Game:
FEU 85 – Konateh 24, Mongcopa 21, Bautista 16, Pasaol 14, Cabonilas 6, Felipe 2, Mahmood 2, Hall 0, Burgos 0, Nakai 0.
UP 76 – Alter 19, Tovera 7, Bayla 6, Miles 6, Poyos 5, Ogana 5, Pre 4, Remogat 4, Dimaculangan 4, Palanca 4, Payosing 3, Franco 3, Yniguez 3, Briones 2, Andres 1, Stevens 0.
Quarterscores: 24-22, 41-44, 67-60, 85-76.

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