De La Salle University exacted sweet revenge in a rematch of last year’s Finals, outlasting defending champion Far Eastern University in a gripping five-set showdown, 29-27, 25-14, 12-25, 21-25, 15-13, to clinch the first semifinal ticket of the 2025 V-League Collegiate Challenge on Saturday at the Paco Arena Sports and Events Center.
The Green Spikers, who lost to the Tamaraws in three games in the previous championship series, flipped the script this time around.
La Salle extended its winning streak to five in this edition, with captain JJ Rodriguez and Eugene Gloria delivering the decisive blows late in the decider.
With the score knotted at 13-all in the fifth, Rodriguez stood tall at the net to deny Mikko Espartero’s attack on a broken play.
Moments later, Gloria sealed the two-hour-and-29-minute battle with a powerful backrow hit that landed deep in FEU’s court, sparking a wave of celebration from the green-and-white bench.
“Siguro one thing (na nagwo-work) ngayon is the mere fact na we’re young, so parang nagkakaisa sila. Walang seniority, na parang as one team they see to it na nagkakaintindihan sila,” said Jose Roque, who has steered the Green Spikers program for three years now.
“Siguro ‘yun ang naging edge namin nitong mga games namin — na nagagampanan namin ‘yung trabaho namin na mas madali silang umintindi. Rather na merong senior, may sobrang bata,” he added.
That team chemistry was on full display early, with Ezer Regidor finding his offensive rhythm while Win Retiro anchored the defense that converted into transition points, fueling La Salle’s 2-0 set advantage.
But FEU showed why they remain a powerhouse, as Dryx Saavedra and Espartero came alive in the third and fourth frames while Rhodson Duot steadied the offense, forcing a decider.
In the end, though, it was La Salle’s night. Ousseini once again imposed his dominance, pouring in 23 points built on 19 attacks, three blocks, and one service ace.
