UNIVERSITY of the East and Far Eastern University secured second straight wins after besting their NCAA counterparts in the V-League Collegiate Challenge at the Paco Arena yesterday.

Jelai Gajero unloaded 23 points while Riza Nogales added 14 points as the youth-laden Lady Warriors overcame a third set loss to beat Mapua, 25-17, 25-18, 21-25, 25-16.

“That’s very important to know. New girls and new system,” said Dr. Obet Vital, who is a part of new UE mentor Jerry Yee. “So when we first started just a little over a month ago, we started working with all the girls as one. Working with the fundamentals, the basics and the mechanics.”

“The girls really adapted. I’m proud that in the past couple of weeks, we started to build chemistry and it is showing on the court,” he added.

“We had a little hiccup in the third set. We gonna do some reviews for that particular. But we will do better on work on those things.”

The Lady Tamaraws overcame their offensive miscues to foil University of Perpetual Help System Dalta, 28-26, 17-25, 25-17, 25-13, to also remain perfect.

FEU came through with 19 blocks with Chenie Tagaod, Mitzi Panangin and Jazlyn Ellarina combining for 10.

Tagaod also flourished in attack with 12 kills for a 16-point output while Panangin produced eight kills for a 12-point showing.

Ellarina, a former National University mainstay, finished with nine points, including two blocks.

“Na-test yung team chemistry namin kasi nag-ikot kami ng mga tao. Ang maganda, may nabuo kami sa game at naging ready yung mga players, kaya naging maganda laro namin,” said interim coach Manolo Refugia, whose Lady Tamaraws, however, yielded 39 errors.

Raisa Ricablanca logged 19 points while Nicole Ong had two blocks for a nine-point effort for the Lady Cardinals, who lost for the second time in three matches.

Mary Rhose Dapol had 12 points, six digs and six receptions while Tracy Andal put up an 18-excellent dig performance for the Lady Altas, who slipped to 1-1.

In men’s play, Ateneo moved into a share of the lead with Perpetual Help, bucking a slow start and then fending off San Beda’s gritty stand in the third to carve out a 25-18, 25-17, 25-21 victory.

Josh Ybañez had 27 points as University of Santo Tomas rebounded from a tournament opening loss with a 25-22, 25-16, 18-25, 28-26 win over UAAP holders National University.

Amil Pacinio poured in the bulk of his 15-point output in the tight last set before Jet Gopio took over in the clutch to complete the straight-set romp for the Blue Eagles.

“We have to work on our reception pa, medyo nag-aalangan pa kami doon. Kasi yun ang una mong gagawin coming off a point so kailangang mabilis lang bumalik sa focus,” said coach Timmy Sto. Tomas after Ateneo followed up a four-set victory over the Emilio Aguinaldo College last Sunday.

“I’m blessed with talented setters and hitters, so we need to capitalize on that, kaya kailangan namin nang maayos na receive,” he added.