MONTALBAN, RIZAL – Defending champion Far Eastern University edged University of Santo Tomas in a tight straight-sets win, 25-23, 29-27, 25-19, to book a spot in the 2025 V-League Collegiate Finals, Saturday at the Ynares Center here.
The Tamaraws had to grind it out in the first two frames before finally breaking away in the third, sealing their second consecutive Finals appearance and securing a ticket to the upcoming Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference.
“Siguro ginusto lang ng players natin and coaches na makuha 'yung match para makapasok sa finals,” said FEU setter Ariel Cacao after the hard-fought one-hour, 29-minute victory.
“Siguro 'yung momentum talagang pumanig din sa'min. Tapos 'yung service receive, talagang kahit anong gawin ng kabila medyo naka-counter na natin. Before kasi wala kaming counter attack eh, ngayon okay naman,” he added.
After battling neck-and-neck with the Golden Spikers in the first two sets, the Tamaraws finally pulled away in the third, unleashing a blistering 9-3 run that broke a 10-all deadlock into a commanding 19-13 lead. From there, they never looked back, sealing the sweep and their Finals berth.
Lirick Mendoza continued his stellar form, finishing with 14 points built on eight attacks, four kill blocks, and two service aces. Mikko Espartero chipped in 12 points, all coming from attacks, while also tallying 12 excellent receptions.
Setter Ariel Cacao orchestrated the offense with 21 excellent sets.
Amet Bituin added 10 points and six excellent receptions, while Dryx Saavedra and Doula Ndongala contributed nine and eight points, respectively.
The Tamaraws will face De La Salle University in the best-of-three gold medal series — a Finals rematch from last year — on Monday at 5 p.m. at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
For UST, reigning MVP Josh Ybanez led the charge with 11 points, all from attacks, alongside 16 excellent receptions and three digs.
Gboy De Vega added 10 points, while Al-Bukharie Sali and John Vryvin Catinsag finished with nine and eight points, respectively.
