FEU Outlasts Benilde in Five-Set Battle for Second Straight Win

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Far Eastern University needed every ounce of composure it had. The Tamaraws found it late, grinding out a five-set win to stay unbeaten.

FEU edged De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, 25-19, 23-25, 25-27, 27-25, 15-11, in the 2026 V-League Collegiate Challenge on Sunday. The match, played at Gameville Central Park in Mandaluyong City, took nearly two hours to decide.

The win pushed the defending champions to 2-0. But it wasn’t easy — Benilde pushed the Tamaraws to the brink before folding in the decider.

Amet Bituin provided 15 points off the bench as FEU held off Benilde in a five-set battle. [PVL Images]

Saavedra, Bituin Deliver When It Mattered Most

Captains Dryx Saavedra and Amet Bituin carried FEU through the match’s toughest stretches. Both came up big in the fifth set, when the margin for error disappeared entirely.

Bituin’s serving proved decisive early in the decider, helping FEU build a 9-6 cushion. His well-placed serves disrupted Benilde’s rhythm at the exact moment the Tamaraws needed separation.

FEU never let that lead slip away. Saavedra delivered the finishing blow, closing out a tense exchange with the match-clinching kill.

Saavedra finished with a team-high 17 points on 16 attacks and one block, adding five digs for good measure. Bituin added 15 points off the bench, while Charles Absin chipped in 10 more.

Head coach Eddieson Orcullo wasn’t fully satisfied despite the win. “Siguro kailangan lang din linisin ‘yung errors. Kailangang ibaba namin yung errors namin para maging maayos pa yung game,” he said.

Betco’s Big Night Not Enough for Benilde

Reymark Betco gave Benilde every reason to believe. He exploded for a match-high 35 points, built on 32 kills, two blocks, and one service ace.

His production dipped when it counted most, though. Betco was limited in the decisive fifth set, and the Blazers couldn’t cash in on his monster outing.

The loss dropped Benilde to an even 2-2 record on the season. The Blazers will look to regroup on Saturday, September 12, when they face National University at 5 p.m.

FEU, meanwhile, keeps its perfect record intact heading into a tougher test. The Tamaraws face Arellano University on September 13 at 5 p.m., chasing a third straight win.

Orcullo made clear what he wants to see from his squad going forward. “Focus pa. Kailangan mag-focus pa sila sa lahat ng gusto nilang mangyari,” he said.