College of Saint Benilde avoided a late collapse to stun defending champion Far Eastern University in a thrilling five-set showdown, 31-29, 25-21, 17-25, 19-25, 17-15, earning its second win in the 2025 V-League Collegiate Challenge on Sunday evening at the Paco Arena Events and Sports Center in Manila.
After struggling in the eight-team tournament organized by Sports Vision, dropping four of their first five matches, the Blazers showed remarkable resilience in the decider to secure a stunning win over the faltering Tamaraws, led by the heroics of reigning NCAA MVP Rocky Motol and Reymark Betco.
Betco tallied 24 points on 23 attacks and one block, along with four excellent digs, while Motol contributed 20 points on 16 attacks, two blocks, two aces, and added 22 excellent receptions and six excellent digs. With the victory, Benilde—whose only previous win was against a winless Arellano University—improved to a 2-4 record.
“Pag mga ganoon na sitwasyon na nagbibigay ng error at wala na kaming timeout, wala nang substitution, at wala nang challenge, it’s up to them na. Nasa kanila na yung gusto nila mangyari. Ginusto nila ‘yon, mula sa 31-29 na first set namin hanggang sa dulo,” Blazers head coach Arnold Laniog said.
In the fifth set, Benilde rallied from an early 3-6 deficit as back-to-back points by Betco capped a 10-4 surge, giving the Blazers a three-point cushion at 13-10.
FEU, however, fought back with a 5-1 run—capitalizing on four costly attack errors by Betco and Motol—to reach match point at 14-15.
Benilde’s composure ultimately prevailed as a Betco backrow hit, a Mike Balbacal rejection on Luis Miguel, and a game-sealing block by Motol on Charles Absin secured the Blazers’ hard-fought victory after two hours and 13 minutes.
Balbacal finished with nine points, including three blocks, while team captain John Austero and Paul Jordan added eight and seven points, respectively.
The Blazers will close their tournament campaign against defending UAAP champions NU Bulldogs on Wednesday, September 10, at the same venue in Manila.
FEU, on the other hand, suffered their third straight loss, dropping to a 3-3 record and solo fourth place, holding just a one-game cushion over the Letran Knights (2-3).
Middle blocker Lirick Mendoza led FEU with 19 points on 14 attacks, four blocks, and one ace, while sophomore hitter Amet Bituin also scored 19 points on 18 attacks, including 10 excellent receptions.
Luis Miguel’s strong off-the-bench performance—15 points and 25 excellent sets from second setter Rhodson Du-ot—went for naught, while Dryx Saavedra contributed 13 points and five excellent digs in the losing effort.
The Tamaraws will next face the Letran Knights in a pivotal matchup with major semifinals implications at the same date and venue.
