MANILA — Far Eastern University is one win away from sweeping the preliminary round of the 2026 V-League Collegiate Challenge.
This, after the Tamaraws overpowered University of Santo Tomas, 25–20, 25–21, 25–13, on Saturday at the Gameville Central Park in Mandaluyong City.
The FEU Tamaraws celebrate a point against UST in the 2026 V-League Collegiate Challenge, September 26, 2026 at the Gameville Central Park in Mandaluyong City. PVL Media
Anchored by their impeccable defense, the Tamaraws cruised to a double-digit 21–11 lead in the third and final set after back-to-back transition kills from Charles Absin and Luis Miguel.
A Xandrex Ragusta block and an attack error from GBoy De Vega extended FEU's advantage as the Tamaraws never looked back to secure their sixth straight win.
"Siguro, mina-mindset lang namin na hindi kami dumating sa point na ma-pressure kaming lahat. Lahat halos ng game namin, kapag ma-pressure kami parang hirap na hirap na kami makabalik. So ang mindset lang namin, kahit anong mangyari sa laban, balik lang kami sa sistema namin," said team captain Dryx Saavedra.
Co-captains Absin and Saavedra paced FEU with 14 and 12 points, respectively. Kyle Tandoc chipped in seven points, while Doula Ndongala added six.
The Tamaraws will take on the Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights in a battle for the top seed in the semifinals on Sunday at 5 p.m.
At 3–4, the Golden Spikers' fate now rests on the result of the De La Salle Green Spikers' clash with the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde Blazers earlier at 3 p.m.
De Vega led UST with 12 points, while Trevor Valera added 10. However, the Golden Spikers committed 26 errors, which proved costly not only in the match but also in their bid to secure a semifinals berth.