The FEU Tamaraws took down the DLSU Green Spikers in straight sets, with the help of Finals MVP Dryx Saavedra's 14 points and Amet Bituin's championship-clinching point, to defend their V-League Collegiate Challenge title.
Far Eastern University turned back De La Salle University in the decisive Game 3, 25-15, 25-22, 25-23, completing a stunning series turnaround with a straight-sets victory to capture back-to-back crowns in the 2025 V-League Collegiate Challenge, Friday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
After cruising through the first two sets, the Tamaraws faced stiff resistance from the Green Spikers late in the third but showed championship composure, rallying back from a 15-18 deficit to seal the sweep and their second straight V-League crown.
Amet Bituin spearheaded the momentum-shifting 10-5 closing run, with key contributions from Ariel Cacao, Dryx Saavedra, and Mikko Espartero, as FEU shut the door on La Salle for good after an hour and 28 minutes of intense action.
“Focus lang ulit, kasi pag sobrang hype, minsan patapos na, hindi mo na nakokontrol yung emotions at enjoyment,” said Tamaraws head coach Eddieson Orcullo when asked what he told the team during La Salle’s comeback attempt late in the third.
“Siguro dapat baba lang ulit namin, tapos focus lang ulit sa nangyayari. Nakarecover naman sa receive at blocking, kaya medyo maganda rin yung outcome,” added Orcullo.
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Saavedra led the FEU onslaught with 14 points built on 11 attacks and three aces, earning Finals MVP honors after averaging 13.0 points per game throughout the best-of-three championship series.
“Sobrang saya. Nakakagaan ng loob kasi, sa totoo lang, ang daming struggles na pinagdaanan namin ngayong V-League. Parang ang dami naming natutunan, at maraming tao ang tumulong sa amin,” said Saavedra, as the team finished the eliminations ranked third with a 4-3 record.
Bituin, who nailed the championship-clinching point, registered 13 points and seven excellent receptions, while Espartero added 10 points. Lirick Mendoza and Doula Ndongala contributed seven markers each.
Ariel Cacao, meanwhile, orchestrated the offense with 24 excellent sets to go along with two points, while birthday boy Vennie Ceballos manned the floor with 10 excellent receptions and seven excellent digs.
The Tamaraws opened the series on a shaky note, absorbing an 18-25, 22-25, 23-25 loss in Game 1, but quickly found their rhythm—storming past the Green Spikers in Game 2, 25-16, 25-17, 25-18, before completing their emphatic title defense in the tournament organized by Sports Vision.
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On the other hand, La Salle, after winning the championship in 2023, have now settled for back-to-back silver medals both against the Tamaraws.
Rui Hernandez top scored for La Salle with 13 points, 12 of which came from the attack line, while Issa Ousseini and Tournament MVP Chris Hernandez added 11 and nine points, respectively, in the loss.