Reporting note: this article draws on tiebreakertimes.com.ph; LodiScore provides the summary and editorial framing.
Tamaraws March to Finals; Knights Survive Five-Set Marathon
Far Eastern University is heading back to the big stage! The defending champions took care of business at the FilOil Centre on Saturday, sweeping De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde 25–23, 25–22, 25–18 to complete a 2–0 semifinal series sweep and secure their spot in the V-League Collegiate Challenge Finals.
Meanwhile, Colegio de San Juan de Letran refused to let their season end without a fight. The Knights pulled off an incredible comeback to edge National University in a thrilling five-set marathon, 22–25, 25–23, 29–27, 13–25, 20–18, forcing a winner-take-all Game 3 on Sunday!
FEU Net Defense Shuts Down Blazers
The Tamaraws had to grind through tight battles in the first two frames before taking complete control. Benilde tied the opening set at 22-all, but Dryx Saavedra delivered back-to-back kills to close it out. In the second set, the Blazers held a 16–14 lead until FEU unleashed a 5–1 counter-attack sparked by Saavedra and Mikko Espartero.
FEU never looked back in the third, riding a monster performance at the net by Duola Ndongala, who recorded eight blocks to completely disrupt the Blazers' attack. Saavedra anchored the scoring with 14 points, while Amet Bituin chipped in 13 points, seven excellent receptions, and four digs.
“Bago kami pumunta sa Game 2, ‘yung unang inaral talaga namin is ‘yung eliminations, ‘yung umabot kami sa five sets. Medyo mahirap kami do’n kasi that was the first time na magharap kami since last season. From that game, kailangan tayong mag-react sa mga mali nating ginawa,” said FEU head coach Jelord Talisayan.
Reymark Betco led Benilde with 18 points, while Rocky Motol contributed 10 markers in the Blazers' season-ending defeat.
Letran Outlasts NU in Extended Tiebreak Thriller
The Knights proved their resilience after suffering a lopsided 13–25 loss in the fourth set. Refusing to fold, Letran leaned on bench spark Jasper Afgao, who exploded for 22 points, including 20 kills, to keep the Knights alive.
Dave Lardizabal hammered down 23 kills, while middle blocker Vince Himzon delivered 12 points, including the crucial endgame kill in the extended fifth set. An attack error by NU's Choi Diao sealed the match for Letran after two hours and 11 minutes of high-intensity action.
“Parehas lang ‘yung sistema, magkakapaan talaga ‘yan. Siguro pagdating lang sa pressure game, mas lumabas ‘yung pagkabeterano ng Letran kasi mostly second-year, third-year ‘tong mga ‘to,” said Letran head coach Jessie Lopez. “Tong Game 2, hindi namin momentum ‘to eh, kanilang momentum ‘to, at least naagaw namin. Sana magtuloy-tuloy hanggang bukas.”
Jade Disquitado powered the Bulldogs with a match-high 23 points, while Luke Macatangay and Diao posted 14 markers apiece. However, NU's 26 unforced errors proved fatal in the clutch.
What Comes Next
Letran and NU will battle in their do-or-die Game 3 decider on Sunday. The winner advances to face FEU in Game 1 of the best-of-three Finals on Wednesday, October 7, at the FilOil Centre, while the loser will square off against Benilde in a one-off bronze-medal contest.
