University of Santo Tomas overcame a third-set collapse to defeat defending champion Far Eastern University, 25-21, 25-21, 23-25, 25-23, and force a do-or-die Game 3 in the semifinals of the 2025 V-League Men’s Collegiate Challenge on Thursday afternoon at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
After squandering a six-point cushion in the third frame, the second-seeded Golden Spikers leaned on the clutch heroics of Alas Pilipinas Men member Josh Ybanez, Gboy de Vega, and Trevor Valera to keep their bid for a maiden V-League crown alive in the tournament organized by Sports Vision.
The victory also underscored UST’s resilience and resolve, coming just a day after their heartbreaking Game 1 loss to the Tamaraws (23-25, 25-16, 19-25, 26-24, 8-15) at the same venue.
“Five-setters are a test of character talaga. Tapos itong kanina, I called a timeout at 22-all in the fourth set, sabi ko lang na sila yung naglalaro doon sa loob ng court,” UST head coach Odjie Mamon said.
"They must get through the same situation tulad nung nangyari sa third set. Lumabas naman yung kakayahan nila."
The Golden Spikers looked poised to sweep the match after building a 16-10 advantage in the third, but Mikko Espartero, Luis Miguel, and Lirick Mendoza sparked a furious FEU comeback to extend the duel to a fourth set.
In similar fashion, UST held a 22-19 edge in the fourth after back-to-back quick hits from Valera, only for Espartero to respond with an off-the-block attack while Amet Bituin and Doula Ndongala came up with timely blocks to knot the score at 22-all.
This time, however, the Golden Spikers refused to fold.
Valera delivered another attack, followed by two straight hits from Ybanez, to seal the hard-fought win in one hour and 51 minutes.
Ybanez starred with 25 points built on 23 attacks and two aces, while also contributing 26 excellent receptions and 13 excellent digs.
De Vega added 22 points on 21 attacks and a block, alongside 15 excellent receptions.
Valera chipped in 12 points, while opposite hitter Al Bukharie-Sali added 10 markers for UST.
On the other side, Espartero paced FEU with 14 points on 12 attacks to go with seven excellent receptions, while Ndongala matched him with 14 points of his own, highlighted by a game-best five blocks.
Bituin tallied 10 points and four digs, while Mendoza closed with eight points in the loss.
UST will now look to book a Finals return for the first time since 2023, while FEU hopes to keep its title defense alive when the two squads clash in the decider on Saturday, October 6, at the Ynares Center in Montalban, Rizal.
