FEU sweeps La Salle to force winner-take-all

DASMARIÑAS, CAVITE – Far Eastern University roared back with a statement win, sweeping De La Salle University, 25-16, 25-17, 25-18, to force a do-or-die Game 3 in the 2025 V-League Collegiate Challenge Finals on Wednesday at the City of Dasmariñas Arena here.

After dropping Game 1 in straight sets, 18-25, 22-25, 23-25, the Tamaraws responded with a dominant performance to keep their back-to-back championship hopes alive and set up a rubber match on Friday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.

Playmaker Ariel Cacao anchored FEU’s offense with 19 excellent sets on top of three points, keeping the Tamaraws’ attack fluid and unpredictable in the one-hour, 22-minute encounter.

FEU asserted control in every scoring department, outgunning La Salle in attacks (35-30), blocks (14-6), and aces (2-0), with its formidable net defense serving as the biggest difference in the lopsided victory.

“Super, siguro ano lang talaga — nagkaintindihan lang kami ng boys sa gusto naming mangyari sa game plan,” said Tamaraws head coach Eddieson Orcullo. “Yung game ngayon, ang tinignan lang namin nung Game 1 ay service-pass.

“Kasi kung titignan natin nung Game 1, hindi kami nakapasa. Nakapasa naman sila. Kung sino makakapasa, magre-ready bawat team. It so happened na kami nakapasa, kaya ganito kinalabasan ng match,” he added.

Lirick Mendoza, named Player of the Game, spearheaded FEU’s balanced attack with 11 points built on seven kills and four blocks.

Dryx Saavedra added 10 markers, while Mikko Espartero and Doula Ndongala chipped in nine apiece.

Amet Bituin also contributed eight points, and Venie Ceballos anchored the defense with 11 excellent receptions and three digs.

For the Green Spikers, Issa Ousseini was the lone bright spot with 10 points off seven attacks and three blocks.

Newly crowned MVP Chris Hernandez and Eugene Gloria were held to just seven points each, as La Salle failed to capitalize on its series lead and squandered its first chance to close out the championship.