Far Eastern University vented its frustrations on Colegio de San Juan de Letran, 25-23, 25-22, 25-20, to clinch the last Final Four seat and complete an all-UAAP semifinal cast in the 2025 V-League Collegiate Challenge on Wednesday afternoon at the Paco Arena Events and Sports Center in Manila.
Reeling from a three-game skid, the Tamaraws rediscovered their winning form just in time. Interim captain Dryx Saavedra and sophomore sparkplug Amet Bituin rose to the occasion to secure the third seed in the eight-team tilt organized by Sports Vision.
Saavedra led from the front with 17 points off 16 kills and a block, while also tallying four excellent digs. Bituin complemented him with 11 points and 11 receptions, steadying FEU in the key moments.
With the win, FEU wrapped up the eliminations at 4-3 with 14 points — enough to join unbeaten De La Salle University, University of Santo Tomas, and Ateneo de Manila University in the semifinals.
“Siguro whatever happens sa game ng Letran, talagang tatanggapin na namin kung ano result ‘eh. Siguro minsan dala rin ng emotions ‘eh tsaka mindset kung paano [bumawi]. Maganda naman pinakita ng mga bata. Heading into the semis, tignan natin ano mangyayari,” FEU head coach Eddieson Orcullo said.
The Tamaraws leaned on composure in the tight second set, breaking away from a 19-all deadlock behind a Bituin block, then a Mikko Espartero down-the-line hit. A Saavedra cross-court hammer let them take a two-set cushion.
By the third frame, momentum was clearly on their side, as Charles Absin, Bituin, and Saavedra helped turn a narrow 9-8 lead into a commanding 17-10 gap.
Absin chipped in 10 points, while setter Rhodson Du-ot held the fort in the absence of Ariel Cacao, tossing 23 excellent sets along with two points. Lirick Mendoza added nine markers for FEU, which shut the door on Letran’s late rally to finish the sweep in just 87 minutes.
The Tamaraws’ win also slammed the door shut on National University’s semifinal hopes.
(C) V-League
NU, which had earlier fallen to College of Saint Benilde in a five-set thriller, 25-22, 25-22, 27-29, 15-25, 15-12, slipped to 2-4 — joining Benilde and Letran on the outside looking in.
For Benilde, though already eliminated, it was a rousing farewell.
Three days after toppling FEU, the Blazers pulled off another stunner, this time against the five-time UAAP champion Bulldogs.
NCAA MVP Rocky Motol erupted for 21 points and anchored the floor with 32 receptions, while Reymark Betco added 18 in their defiant swan song.
“Malaking boost sa morale ng team namin lalo na sa ibang players na in-eexpose ko pa. Malaking confidence booster ito para sa mga susunod na liga and sa NCAA season by beating two UAAP teams,” said Blazers head coach Arnold Laniog.
Bandola paced NU with 18 points on 17 attacks alongside five excellent receptions, while rookie hitter Luke Macatangay finished with 17 points on 15 attacks and eight receptions.
Jan Abanilla added 15 points, and foreign student-athlete Obed Mukaba contributed 13 in the losing cause.
