FEU shocks La Salle, earns lead share

Far Eastern University employed a well-prepared game plan to snap De La Salle University's four-game winning streak, fashioning out an impressive 25-21, 25-18, 25-18 victory in the V-League Men’s Collegiate Challenge at Paco Arena in Manila on Sunday.

Lirick Mendoza and Dryx Saavedra spearheaded the Tamaraws' attack, combining for 21 points as FEU secured its second consecutive win and fourth overall, matching La Salle's record at the top of the eight-team league organized by Sports Vision.

“Nag-ready kami ‘eh doon sa game ng La Salle, talagang trinabaho lang ng players yung panalo today,” said FEU head coach Ed Orcullo. 

As the Green Spikers rallied to narrow the gap to three, 15-18, in the third set, the Tamaraws regrouped and responded with a crucial 5-2 run to maintain control. An off-the-block spike from Saavedra and a quick 1-2 play by Benny Martinez sealed FEU’s fourth victory and handed La Salle its first defeat of the tournament.

In the opening frame, FEU capitalized on La Salle's 10 unforced errors to comfortably take a 1-0 lead.

Back-to-back hits from Doula Ndongala extended the Tamaraws' advantage to five points in the second set, and the Morayta-based squad held sway to close out the frame and secure a commanding 2-0 lead.

“Yung mindset talaga. Kasi lahat may skills, lahat may height, lahat meron, mindset lang talaga ang kailangan maintindihan ng mga bata, even the coaches, ganoon din dapat,” added Orcullo. 

Mendoza led FEU with 11 points, including five blocks, while Saavedra contributed 10 markers.

The Tamaraws will aim to seize the solo lead when they face the Letran Knights on Sept. 1 at 2 p.m.

Joshua Magalaman paced La Salle with nine points with the Green Spikers looking to bounce back against the National University Bulldogs on Sept. 4 at 5 p.m.