Reporting note: this article draws on tiebreakertimes.com.ph; LodiScore provides the summary and editorial framing.
FEU vs VNS: Tamaraws Survive Four-Set Test
Short-handed and still perfect. FEU-DN Steel beat VNS-Laticrete in four sets, 25-23, 25-18, 23-25, 25-22, in the 2026 Spikers' Turf Invitational Conference on Wednesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
The FEU vs VNS result pushed the Tamaraws to 2-0, level with ClearSkiiin atop the standings. Not bad for a squad that was missing three regulars.
FEU grabbed the first two frames, let the third slip away at 23-25, then steadied itself in the fourth. That's the kind of night that tells you plenty about a bench.
Dryx Saavedra Delivers 25 Points
Amet Bituin, Rhodson Du-ot and Kyle Tandoc all sat out because of their respective on-the-job training commitments. So Dryx Saavedra and Mikko Espartero just handled it themselves.
Saavedra unloaded 25 points on 22 attacks, two blocks and one ace. Espartero went full utility: 19 points on 16 attacks, two aces and one block, plus 17 excellent receptions and six excellent digs.
That all-around line is the part that stings for opponents. Espartero wasn't just terminating rallies, he was keeping them alive on defense and in serve receive while the usual core watched from the sideline.
Head coach Eddieson Orcullo pointed to how well his players understood their own roles. "Everyone knows how to use themselves out there," he said. "And the timing of when they come in and when they go out — that's why each player matters so much to us."
He also wanted the group to prove the lineup doesn't drop off. "With the core players out today, we should feel that nothing changes for the players who are on OJT right now," he added.
Kalel Ronquillo Keeps the Offense Rolling
With Du-ot unavailable, backup playmaker Kalel Ronquillo ran the show and finished with 29 excellent sets and two points. Vennie Ceballos matched that energy on the defensive end with 17 excellent receptions and 10 excellent digs.
FEU gave away 34 points on errors, which is a lot of free real estate to hand over. The Tamaraws covered for it by outscoring VNS in attacks, 59-48, and leading in blocks, 7-4, and aces, 7-2.
The whole thing took one hour and 50 minutes. Long enough for a wobble, short enough that the wobble didn't cost them.
Jau Umandal Carries VNS-Laticrete
Jau Umandal was VNS' lone double-digit scorer, finishing with 20 points, all from attacks. Julius Arcillo added eight, while Jerremy Pedrosa and CJ Segui chipped in seven markers apiece.
Howard Guerra dished out 15 excellent sets and added three points. Mohammad Patadon recorded 16 excellent receptions and 11 excellent digs in the defeat.
The Griffins spotted FEU the first two sets, stretched the match to four, and couldn't complete the comeback. They're 0-2 in the conference and still hunting a first win.
What's Next for FEU and VNS
FEU goes for a third straight win against National University-Archipelago Builders on Sunday at 3 p.m. at the same venue. NU is the UAAP rival that beat FEU in the V-League, so there's some history attached to that one.
VNS-Laticrete, meanwhile, meets ClearSkiiin on Saturday at 3:30 p.m., also at the Filoil EcoOil Centre. ClearSkiiin is one of the two unbeaten teams in the field, so the Griffins' schedule isn't getting any friendlier.
This report draws on the original coverage from tiebreakertimes.com.ph.
