Already out of contention for the semifinals, FEU-DN Steel persevered to end its three-game skid in the 2025 Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference, sweeping VNS, 25-16, 25-21, 25-18, on Friday at the Paco Arena in Manila.
Usual leaders Dryx Saavedra and Lirick Mendoza delivered for the Tamaraws, with Saavedra tallying 13 points on 10 spikes, two aces, and a block. Meanwhile, Mendoza contributed 10 points on eight attacks and two blocks.
Charles Absin also made a significant impact, scoring eight points on six blocks, all while playing only in the second set, where FEU-DN Steel overturned a 16-19 deficit.
With the win, the Tamaraws improved their record to 2-4 in the tournament organized by Sports Vision and supported by Alpha Insurance, Premiere EMS, Buffalo’s Wings N’ Things, and Arena Plus.
(C) Spikers Turf Images
“Itong game na ito, it’s a matter of mindsetting talaga kasi hindi ko maintindihan kung ano bang iniinda eh. Pero kung nasaan man kami ngayon, alam ko magiging maayos ‘yung galaw ng team towards sa UAAP,” said Tamaraws head coach Eddieson Orcullo.
Amet Bituin added seven points, while Mikko Espartero contributed six points and 13 excellent receptions in the 67-minute victory.
Orcullo noted that despite being eliminated, he saw promise in his team, particularly in their five-set 25-22, 21-25, 16-25, 15-17 loss to Criss Cross last Wednesday.
“Pinakamagandang nangyari sa amin ay ‘yung laro namin sa Criss Cross, magandang enligthenment sa amin yan. Siguro dapat panghawakan namin ‘yun,” he added.
FEU-DN Steel aims to finish its campaign with two straight wins when it faces fellow collegiate team UST-Gameville on Sunday at 5:00 PM at the same venue.
(C) Spikers Turf Images
The Griffins, who dropped to 1-5, were led by captain Noy Pedrosa with 10 points on nine attacks and a block. RK Medino and Kimmy Liray added nine and eight points, respectively, as VNS, despite its youth, committed only nine errors.
VNS will try to close out the conference with a win when it takes on winless PGJC-Navy on Sunday at 1:00 PM.
Games are aired live on One Sports and One Sports+, as well as through the Pilipinas Live app, which offers video-on-demand options. Games will also be streamed via spikersturf.ph.
