De La Salle University and University of Santo Tomas kept their winning streaks alive in the 2025 V-League Collegiate Challenge, taking down their respective opponents in contrasting fashion on Tuesday at the Paco Arena Sports and Events Center.
The Green Spikers overcame a tense third set to sweep National University, 21-17, 21-15, 33-31, for their second straight win in the tournament.
Cameroonian middle blocker Issa Ousseini delivered the match-point opportunity with a service ace after nearly squandering a 22-18 lead in the third.
An error on his next serve, however, sparked a nerve-wracking exchange of points before La Salle finally closed out the 37-minute set on back-to-back NU miscues.
Ousseini finished with nine points on four attacks, four blocks, and one ace, plus two crucial digs.
Eugene Gloria and MJ Fortuna chipped in nine markers each, fueling La Salle’s early dominance. Meanwhile, coach Jose Roque’s bench rotation — including Rui Ventura and Yoyong Mendoza — provided timely contributions in the decisive frame.
“Isa lang naman ‘yung sinabi ko sa team before this game — if we can beat ‘yung performance namin nung first game. Para at least may gauge kami kung nag-i-improve ba kami o hindi. And sabi ko, no pressure kasi this is just pre-competition. ‘Yung winning is just a reward; kung gagalaw tayo nang maayos, merong maipapakita,” said Roque.
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Mac Bandiola carried the fight for NU with 14 points, all from attacks, while Jan Abanilla added seven.
Earlier in the day, the Golden Spikers shook off a sluggish start to subdue NCAA runner-up Colegio de San Juan de Letran in four sets, 20-25, 25-17, 25-18, 25-21, also claiming their second consecutive win.
Al Bukharie Sali spearheaded the turnaround with 21 points built on 16 kills, three blocks, and two aces, leading UST’s resurgence from a first-set stumble.
The opposite hitter’s heroics were complemented by Gboy De Vega and JJ Macam, who finished with 13 and 12 points, respectively.
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“Medyo ano lang ‘yung bata — hindi naman natin pwedeng i-count out ‘yung Letran kasi first runner-up ‘yan sa NCAA, ‘yung kondisyon nila is mabagal. Luckily, nung pahuli, sumabay na sila. Naka-recover naman kami,” said assistant coach Benjamin Mape, who continues to call the shots in place of head coach Odjie Mamon, currently with Alas Pilipinas Men.
Tied at 18 in the fourth set, UST unleashed a decisive 7-3 run, sparked by a 5-0 service stretch from Macam.
Though Letran fended off two match points, Sali sealed the one-hour-and-39-minute win with a powerful kill.
Rookie middle blocker Sean Cruz matched Sali’s three blocks, with the duo accounting for all but two of UST’s six rejections.
Setter and skipper Dux Yambao orchestrated the offense with 20 excellent sets that powered 57 total attack points.
For Letran (0-2), Max Lopez led with 11 points, while captain Vince Himzon was limited to just five.
