KYLE Tandoc and the FEU Tamaraws hang tough down the stretch to pull off a 25-19, 23-25, 25-27, 27-25, 15-11 win over the Saint Benilde Blazers in the 2026 V-League Collegiate Challenge on Sunday.
Photograph courtesy of V-LEAGUE
Far Eastern University (FEU) captured its second straight win in thrilling fashion, edging College of Saint Benilde in five sets, 25-19, 23-25, 25-27, 27-25, 15-11, in the 2026 V-League Collegiate Challenge on Sunday at Gameville Central Park in Mandaluyong City.
The defending champions improved to 2-0 but needed late-game composure and timely hits from captains Amet Bituin and Dryx Saavedra to secure the victory in nearly two hours.
Meanwhile, Letran College captured its fourth straight victory in style, sweeping De La Salle University, 25-18, 29-27, 25-23.
The victory put the Knights in a strong position to secure a playoff spot, with their ability to overcome deficits in the second and third sets proving crucial in the tight contest.
Jessel Nimo delivered a breakthrough performance for Letran, finishing with 20 points on 17 kills, two blocks, and an ace, while also recording two digs and six excellent receptions.
After surviving the Blazers to force a deciding set, the Tamaraws gained some breathing room at 9-6 as Bituin's well-placed serves disrupted Saint Benilde's attack.
FEU maintained its advantage from there, with Saavedra delivering the match-clinching kill to end a back-and-forth exchange and seal the win.
"Maybe we just need to clean up our errors. We have to bring our errors down so that our game execution improves," FEU head coach Eddieson Orcullo said.
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Saavedra led the Tamaraws with 17 points on 16 attacks and one block, along with five digs. Bituin provided a spark off the bench with 15 points, while Charles Absin added 10.
FEU will next face Arellano University as it looks to make it three straight wins on 13 September.
“More focus. They still need to focus on everything they want to achieve," Orcullo said regarding what he wants to see from his team moving forward.
Reymark Betco exploded for a match-high 35 points on 32 kills, two blocks, and one service ace, but the Blazers were unable to fully capitalize on his production as he was limited in the fifth and deciding set.
Saint Benilde, which dropped to an even 2-2 record, will look to bounce back against National University on Saturday.
