De La Salle University overcame a second-set collapse to complete a thrilling 25-21, 27-29, 31-29, 25-21 victory over College of Saint Benilde, clinching its third straight win in the 2025 V-League Collegiate Challenge, Sunday afternoon at the Paco Arena Sports and Events Center in Manila.
After squandering a seven-point, 15-8 lead in the second set, the Green Spikers regained their composure behind the timely heroics of Chris Hernandez, Eugene Gloria, Rui Ventura, and foreign student-athlete Issa Ousseini to prevent another meltdown and stay unbeaten in the eight-team tournament organized by Sports Vision.
With the win, La Salle joined fellow UAAP title contender University of Santo Tomas at the top of the standings, both carrying flawless 3-0 records.
“Sabi ko nga a while ago, every opponent that we’re facing, talagang wala kami masyado ginagawa na special thing to prepare. It’s just that we’re focusing on how we’re going to become consistent,” said Green Spikers head coach Jose Roque.
“A win is a win, though if I may say na hindi ganon kaganda yung performance nila, but I do hope na by next game, we’ll be different,” he added.
The third set proved to be La Salle’s biggest escape. Trailing 21-24, Gloria and Ventura sparked a late surge as the Green Spikers fended off five set points before Ousseini’s block on NCAA MVP Rocky Motol capped the comeback and handed them a crucial 2-1 set lead.
Hernandez delivered a triple-double of 21 points on 19 attacks, 19 excellent receptions, and 10 excellent digs. Ventura added 17 points, Ousseini had 12, while Gloria provided a spark off the bench with 11.
Earlier in the day, Colegio de San Juan de Letran finally cracked the Arellano University code in a rematch of the NCAA Season 100 Finals, scoring a commanding 25-17, 25-20, 25-17 sweep to bag its first win of the tournament.
After going winless against the Chiefs in both the elimination round and last June’s NCAA championship series, the Knights leaned on team captain John Wayne Arano and Paolo Lopez to complete the bounce-back victory in just 74 minutes.
The result snapped a two-game skid for Letran and propelled them into a tie for fourth place with National University, both holding 1-2 cards.
“Masaya kasi ito yung mga gusto rin ng mga players. Makikita mo na hindi lang yung coaching staff yung may gusto, pero yung mga players, deserve rin nila yung panalo today against Arellano,” said Knights head coach Brian Esquibel.
“Lagi ko sila rineremind na every training or every time na may game, kailangan nila maging consistent kasi ‘yon yung kulang ng mga past tournaments namin,” he added.
Lopez topscored with 10 points, while Dave Lardizabal and Vince Himzon tallied nine apiece. Arano orchestrated the offense with 15 excellent sets alongside six points and five digs.
The results set up a marquee showdown between the undefeated Green Spikers and the resurgent Knights on Saturday, August 23, at 10:00 AM in Paco.
La Salle looks to keep its record spotless, while Letran aims to sustain momentum and pull off an upset.
Meanwhile, Benilde dropped to 0-2 despite Motol’s 19-point effort, while Arellano remained winless at 0-3 with CJ Dominguito scoring nine points in the loss.
