Reporting note: this article draws on tiebreakertimes.com.ph; LodiScore provides the summary and editorial framing.
Tamaraws Stay Flawless With Straight-Set Win Over Knights
Defending champion Far Eastern University completed a 7–0 preliminary campaign in the 2026 V-League Collegiate Challenge on Sunday, defeating Colegio de San Juan de Letran in straight sets, 25–20, 25–22, 25–23, at Gameville Central Park in Mandaluyong City.
FEU overcame slow starts in every set before tightening its floor defense and pulling away in the closing stages. The third set remained tight until the final exchanges, where a Kyle Tandoc spike and an unforced Letran error gave FEU a 22–20 lead. Substitute Mikko Espartero then delivered two consecutive kills off the bench to secure the sweep.
Tandoc, Saavedra Shine at the Net for FEU
Kyle Tandoc earned Player of the Game honors with 13 points and 11 excellent receptions. Team captain Dryx Saavedra paced FEU with 14 points, while Luis Miguel added 10. The Tamaraws controlled the net throughout the contest, finishing with 13 kill blocks.
Letran leaned on Jessel Nimo's team-high 16 points and Dave Lardizabal's 14, but 21 unforced errors derailed the Knights in critical stretches. Letran ended the preliminaries in third place at 5–2 and will face reigning six-time UAAP champion National University in the semifinals.
Benilde Clinches Historic Semis Berth Over Rival DLSU
Earlier in the day, De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde defeated De La Salle University, 16–25, 25–18, 25–14, 25–20, to secure the fourth and final playoff seed. Needing a victory in four sets or fewer to advance via quotient, the Blazers clinched their first-ever V-League Final Four appearance.
After dropping the opening set, Benilde head coach Arnold Laniog brought in reserve playmaker Al Rabanes. Rabanes stabilized Benilde's offense with 12 excellent sets, three points, and one dig. Reymark Betco led the Blazers with a match-high 20 points, Rocky Motol added 15, and Mike Balbacal closed out the win with consecutive quick hits in the fourth set.
The defeat eliminated DLSU at 2–5, marking the first time the Green Spikers missed the V-League semifinals since the tournament's reinstatement. Yoyong Mendoza paced La Salle with 17 points.
What's Next for the Final Four?
The semifinals open Wednesday at the Playtime FilOil Center, featuring top-seeded FEU against Benilde and second-seeded NU against third-seeded Letran. FEU head coach Eddieson Orcullo emphasized post-game that the Tamaraws must maintain focus as the knockout rounds begin.
