Far Eastern University (FEU) stormed into the V-League Collegiate Challenge Finals, sweeping De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, 25–23, 25–22, 25–18, on Saturday, October 3, at the FilOil Centre. The Tamaraws are pushing for a third consecutive title.

FEU will await the winner of the other semifinal series between the National University Bulldogs and the Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights. Game 1 of the best-of-three Finals is set for Wednesday, Oct. 7, in San Juan.

FEU Tamaraws Rally From 0–3 Deficit to Sweep Benilde

With momentum and a 2–0 set lead, the Tamaraws shook off a 0–3 deficit in the third set. They surged ahead, 8–4, at the first technical timeout, taking advantage of a full frontline and an aggressive Duola Ndongala in the middle.

Kyle Tandoc extended FEU’s cushion to eight, 14–6, with a down-the-line kill through the block. Benilde answered with four straight points to cut the deficit.

That proved to be the Blazers’ last hurrah of the season. An attack from Xandrex Ragusta that clipped the line and two Ndongala blocks restored order and allowed the titleholders to complete the sweep.

The match began with FEU building on the momentum of its Game 1 victory, but the Blazers forged a 22-all deadlock in the first set. Captain Dryx Saavedra then stepped up with two consecutive kills to give FEU the set.

Benilde used transition plays to take a 16–14 lead in the second set behind Reymark Betco. FEU leaned on its net defense to deny Betco twice, and Saavedra and Mikko Espartero fueled a 5–1 run to seize a 2–0 advantage.

Amet Bituin shone on both ends with 13 points, seven excellent receptions and four digs. Saavedra remained steady with 14 markers.

Middle blocker Ndongala stifled Benilde’s offense with eight blocks. The blocks forced the Blazers to second-guess their attacks and made it easier for the Tamaraws to finish in transition.

Betco still paced Benilde with 18 points on 17 kills and one block, while Rocky Motol chipped in 10 markers. The Blazers will try to salvage a medal in a one-off bronze-medal match against the loser of the Bulldogs–Knights semifinal decider.

Jelord Talisayan Eyes Three-Peat With FEU Tamaraws

FEU coach Jelord Talisayan, who captained the Tamaraws to the first of their back-to-back titles, wants to see the same consistency in the championship round. He also explained how FEU prepared for Game 2.

“Bago kami pumunta ng Game 2, ’yung unang inaral talaga namin is ’yung eliminations, ’yung umabot kami ng five sets. Medyo mahirap kami do’n kasi that was the first time kasi na magharap kami since last season.

“From that game, kailangan tayong mag-react sa mga mali nating ginawa,” said Talisayan. The two teams went five sets in the eliminations.

FEU will face either NU or Letran in the Finals. “The Finals is about consistency, kung gaano kalinis gumalaw ’yung players, kung gaano nila pinapahalagahan yung sistema kung sino man nakalaban namin sa Finals,” said Talisayan.