De La Salle University exacted sweet revenge in a rematch of last year’s Finals, outlasting defending champion Far Eastern University in a gripping five-set showdown, 29-27, 25-14, 12-25, 21-25, 15-13, to clinch the first semifinal ticket of the 2025 V-League Collegiate Challenge on Saturday at the Paco Arena Sports and Events Center.
The Green Spikers, who lost to the Tamaraws in three games in the previous championship series, flipped the script this time around to stretch their winning streak to five. Captain JJ Rodriguez and Eugene Gloria delivered the decisive blows late in the decider, with Rodriguez denying Mikko Espartero’s attack on a broken play at 13-all, before Gloria capped the two-hour-and-29-minute battle with a thunderous backrow hit.
“Siguro one thing (na nagwo-work) ngayon is the mere fact na we’re young, so parang nagkakaisa sila. Walang seniority, na parang as one team they see to it na nagkakaintindihan sila,” said La Salle head coach Jose Roque, who has steered the program for three years now.
That cohesion was evident early as Ezer Regidor provided the spark on offense and Win Retiro steadied the defense to build a 2-0 set lead. But FEU roared back with Dryx Saavedra and Espartero leading the charge, while Rhodson Duot kept the Tamaraws’ offense organized to push the match into a decider.
In the end, however, La Salle leaned on its firepower and composure. Ousseini starred with 23 points on 19 attacks, three blocks, and one ace, while Chris Hernandez turned in an all-around performance of 16 points (13 spikes, two blocks, one ace) alongside 21 excellent receptions that anchored the floor defense.
La Salle will aim for a sixth straight win when it faces rival Ateneo de Manila University (3-2) on Saturday, September 6, at 12 p.m. FEU (3-1), meanwhile, will try to regroup against University of Santo Tomas (3-1) earlier that day at 10 a.m.
Saavedra still shone in the loss with 21 points on 19 attacks and two blocks, while Lirick Mendoza added 17 markers, highlighted by a game-high seven rejections.
(C) V-League Images
Earlier in the day, College of Saint Benilde finally broke through, snapping its winless start with a four-set stunner over Arellano University, 23-25, 25-14, 30-28, 25-22.
The Chiefs nearly forced a decider after saving match points late in the fourth set, but Rocky Motol—who had committed back-to-back errors moments prior—redeemed himself with a smartly placed attack over a triple block to close the one-hour-and-53-minute duel.
“Sabi ko nga, the first thing, kaya kami sumali dito is maka-gain ng experience. Especially, majority ng players ko is going into second year, kailangan nating mag-mature pa,” said Blazers head coach Arnold Laniog.
Motol led Benilde with 21 points on 18 attacks and three aces, while also tallying seven digs and 15 receptions, most of them in clutch stretches of the third and fourth sets. Kenneth Betco chipped in 14 points, and Mike Balbacal added nine markers, four from blocks.
Jiwen Sinuto carried Arellano with 20 points built on 19 attacks, while AC Guinto backed him up with 16 markers.
