Camille Naredo

The Letran Knights celebrate a point against CSB in the 2026 V-League Collegiate Challenge, August 29, 2026 at the Gameville Central Park in Mandaluyong City. PVL Media

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V-League

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — Colegio de San Juan de Letran dealt College of Saint Benilde its first loss in the 2026 V-League Collegiate Challenge, scoring a five-set win on Saturday at the Gameville Central Park in Mandaluyong City.The Knights came away with a 25-27, 22-25, 23-25, 27-25, 15-13 triumph, ending the Blazers&#x27; unbeaten start in the competition.Letran, now coached by Jessie Lopez, improved to 3-1. They have won three straight matches after dropping their tournament opener.CSB, meanwhile, dropped to 2-1.<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1788086344583VL 2026 CSB vs. CSJL - -9671.JPG" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="The Letran Knights celebrate a point against CSB in the 2026 V-League Collegiate Challenge, August 29, 2026 at the Gameville Central Park in Mandaluyong City. PVL Media"/>The Letran Knights celebrate a point against CSB in the 2026 V-League Collegiate Challenge, August 29, 2026 at the Gameville Central Park in Mandaluyong City. PVL Media</div>Letran drew first blood before Benilde bounced back with two straight-set wins to take a 2-1 lead.Tied at 11-all in the fourth set, Benilde unleashed a 9-3 run capped by a Rocky Motol kill. Letran, however, refused to go away and answered with a crucial 10-4 spurt, with Reymark Betco’s attack sailing long to knot the set at 24-all.The two teams then traded points before Vince Himzon’s kill, followed by another Betco attack that went long, forced a deciding fifth set.In the final frame, a Betco kill and a Himzon attack gave Letran a two-point cushion, 14-12, before another quick attack from Himzon sealed the victory and ended Benilde’s perfect run in the V-League.&quot;Kasi diba [&#x27;yong] first set nakuha namin, tapos medyo nag-relax sila. Akala kasi nila &#x27;yong kalaban magiging go-easy sa kanila. Syempre champion ng NCAA, so hindi natin pwedeng i-easy easy lang,&quot; Lopez said.&quot;Kailangan lang nila maintindihan na &#x27;yong ginagawa namin everyday sa training is gagawin mo [rin] sa game. Hindi pwede na may sistema kaming ginagawa sa training, tapos iba lang gagawin mo sa game,&quot; he added.Dave Lardizabal spearheaded the Knights with 24 points, while Himzon and Jessel Nimmo added 15 markers apiece.For Benilde, Motol led the Blazers with 19 points, followed by Betco, who finished with 16 points.Letran will look to make it four straight wins when it faces the De La Salle University Green Spikers on Sunday, Sept. 6, at noon, still at Gameville Central Park.Meanwhile, Benilde will look to bounce back against a tougher test in reigning V-League champions Far Eastern University on Sunday at 10 a.m. at the same venue.

Colegio de San Juan de Letran dealt College of Saint Benilde its first loss in the 2026 V-League Collegiate Challenge, scoring a five-set win on Saturday at the Gameville Central Park in Mandaluyong City.

Colegio de San Juan de Letran dealt College of Saint Benilde its first loss in the 2026 V-League Collegiate Challenge, scoring a five-set win on Saturday at the Gameville Central Park in Mandaluyong City.

V-League: Letran men hand Blazers their first loss in 5-set marathon

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V-League: Letran men hand Blazers their first loss in 5-set marathon

ABS-CBN News

Published August 30, 2026 06:40 PM PHT

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