In their first meeting since the UAAP Season 87 Finals, defending V-League champion Far Eastern University emerged victorious over reigning UAAP champion National University, securing a hard-fought 25-21, 25-20, 25-23 win to claim its third consecutive triumph, Sunday evening at the Paco Arena Events and Sports Center in Manila.
The Tamaraws capitalized on an undermanned and retooled Bulldogs squad missing Buds Buddin and Jade Disquitado, relying on the balanced offense of Dryx Saavedra, Amet Bituin, and Mikko Espartero to remain unbeaten in the 2025 V-League Collegiate Challenge organized by Sports Vision.
Even without team captain Ariel Cacao due to personal matters, FEU’s attack flowed seamlessly, with Saavedra tallying 20 points on 17 attacks, two aces, and one block in just three sets. His performance allowed the Tamaraws to exact a measure of revenge on the Bulldogs, the team that defeated them in a thrilling three-game UAAP championship series last May.
“Siguro dapat mag-trabaho pa kami. Yung mga kalaro natin, kulang pa ng tao [dahil] nasa national team. Hindi pa natin masabi talaga kaya dapat pagtrabahuan pa namin nang maigi. Kailangan hindi kami tumigil,” FEU head coach Eddieson Orcullo said.
Back-to-back blocks by rookie middle blocker Miguel Egger briefly gave the Bulldogs a 19-21 lead in the third set. However, the Tamaraws responded at the perfect moment, going on a pivotal 4-1 run — capped by a running attack and a block from Charles Absin — to seize a narrow 23-22 advantage.
Freshman hitter Luke Macatangay temporarily tied the set with a through-the-block attack, but Bituin delivered a down-the-line kill while Choi Diao’s quick hit sailed wide, securing FEU’s victory in the 82-minute contest.
In the second set, three consecutive attacks by Macatangay kept NU within striking distance at 21-20. Yet FEU maintained composure under pressure, scoring four straight points — including a two-point spurt from Saavedra, an Espartero through-the-block hit, and an attack error from Macatangay — to claim a critical two-set lead.
Espartero finished with 10 points and 14 excellent receptions, while Bituin also contributed 10 points and four excellent digs.
In Cacao’s absence, Benny Martinez stepped up, delivering 16 excellent sets, while Vennie Ceballos recorded 14 excellent receptions and three excellent digs.
With a three-game winning streak, the Tamaraws carry momentum and confidence as they face the still-unbeaten De La Salle University Green Archers on Saturday, August 30.
Meanwhile, NU suffered its third loss in four outings, dropping to fifth place at 2-3 with two elimination matches remaining.
Macatangay led the Bulldogs with 13 points on 11 attacks and two aces, adding 11 excellent receptions and two excellent digs, while Egger and rookie hitter Yuan Mendoza contributed 10 points each in the losing effort.
NU aims to shake off its rust when it faces NCAA Season 100 runner-up Colegio de San Juan de Letran on Tuesday, August 26, again at the Paco Arena Events and Sports Center.
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