FEU Outlasts Stubborn Benilde in V-League Semis Opener

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Far Eastern University moved one win away from the V-League Finals, outlasting De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde in Game 1 of the semifinals. The Tamaraws won, 25-22, 25-21, 25-22, on Wednesday, September 30, at the Playtime FilOil Centre in San Juan City.

The Tamaraws, gunning for a third consecutive crown in the 2026 V-League Collegiate Challenge, can book a Finals berth on Saturday, Oct. 3, at noon at the same venue. Benilde must win Game 2 to force a decider.

Dryx Saavedra led FEU with 18 points as the Tamaraws opened their V-League semifinal series with a straight-set victory. [PVL Images]

Saavedra, Bituin and Espartero Power FEU’s Semifinals Win

Dryx Saavedra led the Tamaraws with 18 points on 17 kills and an ace, plus three digs. He also fired the booming kill that ended the one-hour, 21-minute match.

Amet Bituin added 17 points in his first full game back from rest. Mikko Espartero, who replaced Kyle Tandoc mainly for his passing, chipped in five points off the bench.

Espartero’s ace and kill helped FEU seize the lead heading into the technical timeouts. He, Saavedra and Bituin then combined to close out the match as Benilde, led by Reymark Betco, tried to claw back.

FEU coach Ferdinand Manalon credited his players for adjusting after slow starts. “Sa tingin ko masyadong excited ‘yung mga bata to the point na nanggigil sila kaya nagmukhang slow starts, pero nakapag-adjust naman,” he said.

Benilde Blazers Push FEU Before Falling in Game 1

The Tamaraws started on the back foot as Benilde’s net defense gave them problems. FEU turned things around by leaning on its own defensive pressure.

That pressure forced an attack error on a Betco attempt, followed by a Benilde miscue and an easy Doula Ndongala putaway that stretched FEU’s lead to 20-15 in the first set. The cushion held up against a late Blazers rally.

The second set followed a similar script, with Benilde making FEU work for every point. Saavedra and the Tamaraws found ways to score in transition and at the net to build a 2-0 set lead.

Betco finished with 19 points for Benilde, and Rocky Motol added 11. The Blazers, who beat De La Salle University to reach the semifinals, needed more production from their middle blockers.

The message for Saturday was clear. “Gusto naming makita Saturday na huwag silang mag-complacent just because nanalo sila today. Kailangan mas mainit pa silang makuha agad ‘yung Game 2 kasi ayaw na naming mag Game 3.”