The UST Golden Spikers suffered their third straight defeat after falling to the Arellano Chiefs in five sets, 23-25, 25-22, 25-16, 13-25, 15-12, in the 2026 V-League Collegiate Challenge on Saturday, Aug. 29, at Gameville Central Park.
The loss dropped UST to 0-3, while Arellano improved to 2-1.
Gboy De Vega paced the Golden Spikers with 18 points, including 15 attacks, two blocks and an ace.
UST started the opening set with a 15-11 surge, highlighted by two attacks and a block from Jan Macam. The Chiefs kept it close before another Macam attack secured the set for the Golden Spikers, 25-23.
Tied at 9-all in the second set, Arellano broke away with a 9-3 run to build an 18-12 advantage, before John Calura won it for the Chiefs, 25-22.
Arellano took control early in the third set, leading 15-9 behind seven combined points from CJ Dominguito and Jiwen Suito. The Chiefs carried their momentum through the frame, with back-to-back attacks from Sinuto closing out the set, 25-16.
The Golden Spikers took an early 14-7 lead in the fourth set following a De Vega block. UST kept its foot on the gas, mounting an 11-6 run to force a deciding set with a 25-13 victory.
Arellano jumped to a 9-3 lead in the fifth set. UST attempted a late comeback with a 5-1 run led by Rainier Lorayes, but errors allowed the Chiefs to close out the match, 15-12.
Dominguito led Arellano with 21 points, all coming from attacks.
UST was scheduled to face De La Salle University on Sunday, Aug. 30, but the match was postponed to a later date due to inclement weather. Charles Martin A. Manalang
