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The FEU Tamaraws celebrate against College of Saint Benilde in the 2026 V-League Collegiate Challenge, September 6, 2026 at the Gameville Central Park in Mandaluyong City. PVL Media
MANILA — Far Eastern University fended off De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde in a five-set thriller to make it two wins in a row in the 2026 V-League Collegiate Challenge on Sunday.
The Tamaraws overturned a one-set deficit to claim a 25–19, 23–25, 25–27, 27–25, 15–11 victory at the Gameville Central Park in Mandaluyong City.
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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.
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 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.
"Siguro kailangan lang din linisin 'yung errors. Kailangang ibaba namin yung errors namin para maging maayos pa yung game," said head coach Eddieson Orcullo.
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 September 13 at 5 p.m.
"Focus pa. Kailangan mag-focus pa sila sa lahat ng gusto nilang mangyari," Orcullo said of 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.
Benilde, which dropped to an even 2–2 record, will look to bounce back against National University on Saturday, September 12, at 5 p.m.