UNIVERSITY of the East finally has something tangible to show for years of trying to find their way back in women's volleyball.
The Lady Warriors captured the bronze medal in the 2026 V-League Collegiate Challenge on Wednesday, sweeping Arellano, 25-23, 25-22, 28-26, in the battle for third place.
The podium finish arrived amid contrasting fortunes for the Recto school, with the Lady Warriors finding success as the Red Warriors basketball team continues to struggle through another winless UAAP campaign.
READ: This is what's missing most from winless UE. Find out what
For a women’s volleyball program that has endured winless seasons, coaching changes, roster shuffles and internal controversies, the medal offered a rare bright spot.
UE’s last UAAP Final Four appearance came nearly two decades ago, in Season 69, when the Lady Warriors finished fourth.
Since then, the program has gone through one reset after another, struggling to regain the footing it once had.
The V-League gave a young and revamped UE side an opportunity to change that trajectory, and the Lady Warriors made the most of it.
Newcomer Janessa Buhay led the way with 27 points on 25 attacks and two aces, while also contributing 17 receptions.
“Masaya kami dahil sabi nga namin, thankful kami kay V-League na binigyan kami ng opportunity na makasali,” said UE assistant coach Jerome Guhit.
“Sabi nga, kukuha kami ng experience na kailangan namin kasi ang daming bata [sa team] eh. Malaking bagay kasi nga kulang sa experience, tapos makaka-medal ka, parang pampataas ng kumpyansa sa kanila ’to.”
Buhay then delivered when UE needed her most.
Veteran winger Van Bangayan provided strong support with 21 points on 19 attacks and two aces, while team captain and libero Angge Reyes anchored the defense with 27 excellent digs and 14 excellent receptions. Jennel Arasan added 16 excellent sets.
Reset at Recto
For a young roster still learning how to compete together, the bronze medal offered more than a podium finish. It gave UE a tangible result to carry into its next chapter.
The Lady Warriors remain a long way from the UAAP Final Four, a stage they have not reached since Season 69.
But after years of uncertainty, Wednesday gave the program a glimpse of what a return to relevance could look like.
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