One Sports
Saturday, October 05, 2024
The FEU Tamaraws regrouped after their Game 2 loss, beating the DLSU Green Spikers via sweep to win their first-ever V-League Men’s Collegiate Challenge title.
The FEU Tamaraws beat the DLSU Green Spikers, 25-22, 28-26, 25-18. | Photo: PVL Images
Far Eastern University (FEU) bounced back from a tough Game 2 defeat to secure its first-ever V-League Men’s Collegiate Challenge championship with a 25-22, 28-26, 25-18 victory over De La Salle University (DLSU) at the Philsports Arena in Pasig on Friday night.
After narrowly missing a sweep in their last matchup, the Tamaraws regrouped and relied heavily on Finals MVP Dryx Saavedra, who delivered a 24-point performance to clinch the championship. This win not only marked a significant milestone for FEU in the league but also ended DLSU's bid for back-to-back titles.
“Since I started here at FEU, we never reached the championship. Personally, I try to bring out my eagerness and give my all in the game. The only difference in Game 2 was that after winning Game 1, we might have overthought that we should easily win Game 2,” Saavedra reflected on the team’s mindset.
The turning point came in the second set, where FEU demonstrated resilience by staging a comeback. Trailing 20-24, they rallied to win 28-26, a pivotal moment that sapped La Salle’s morale.
Fueled by that momentum, FEU quickly took a 15-9 lead in the third set, with Saavedra delivering crucial spikes. Outside hitter Mikko Espartero also played a vital role, scoring three consecutive points, including a crosscourt hit, a block, and a title-clinching ace to seal the championship.
Head coach Ed Orcullo noted that the team's loss in Game 2 sparked deep reflection and determination for their decisive Game 3.
“The Game 2 loss led to a real talk in our dugout. Nobody left smiling or with their heads down, but it’s moments like this when sometimes losing is a blessing,” said Orcullo, whose team took the series opener in four sets last Sunday. “You truly see the character of your teammates when you're faced with adversity; you can’t appreciate success if you’re always winning.”
FEU’s twin towers, Charles Absin and Lirick Mendoza, contributed solidly with 12 and 10 points, respectively. Benny Martinez orchestrated the offense with 19 excellent sets, while captain Jelord Talisayan added eight points, 13 receptions, and six digs in a well-rounded performance.
Despite their valiant efforts, DLSU struggled to match FEU’s intensity after winning Game 2 in four sets. Glen Ventura led the Green Spikers with 16 points, including 14 attacks and two blocks, while Best Outside Hitter Chris Hernandez added seven points and 10 excellent receptions. Noel Kampton chipped in with six points and 10 receptions.
With the V-League title now secured, both teams will turn their focus to the upcoming Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference, set to begin later this month.