By Leiniel A. Santos

Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraw Dryx Saavedra dominated offensively to give Eddieson Orcullo his first championship as head coach against the De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers, 25-22, 28-26, 25-18, in the 2024 V-League Men’s Collegiate Challenge finals today, October 4, at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.

Saavedra was hailed Finals Most Valuable Player with 24 points coming from 23 attacks and one block.

In a post-game interview, FEU’s main gunner shared that he and team captain Jelord Talisayan talked to recalibrate their mindset after their loss in game two.

“Pinipilit ko talaga ilabas ‘yung eagerness ko na i-all out ko ‘yung laro. ‘Yung naiba lang nu’ng game two ‘tsaka siguro nakuha namin ‘yung game one, nasobrahan kami sa kakaisip na makuha namin agad ‘yung game two… After nu’ng game two na ‘yun, nag-usap talaga kami ni kuya Jelord… [napag-usapan] namin na dapat kalma lang talaga (I'm really trying to bring out my eagerness to go all out in the game. The only thing that was different about game two was that maybe we won game one, we were overwhelmed by the thought that we should win game two right away... After that game two, brother Jelord and I really talked... we [discussed] that we should be really calm),” Saavedra said. 

FEU found their rhythm in the first set despite early offensive errors as Benny Martinez propelled all of his spikers to score.

Tamaraw lefty Saavedra scored an early 10 points from nine attacks and one block to take the opening set, 25-22.

During the second frame, DLSU’s own lefty Glen Rui Ventura scored five attacks which caused damage to FEU’s defense, 20-24.

Fortunately, the green-and-gold squad stormed back in time with 4-0 run to force a deadlock and extend the third set, 24-24.

Saavedra’s backrow attacks, Mikko Espartero’s clutch ace and FEU’s net defense drove them to steal the frame, 28-26.

The Tamaraws assumed control in the third set as the middle duo of Lirick Mendoza and Charles Absin added firepower, and Espartero’s another ace ended the match and won the championship in straight sets, 25-18. 

Now with his first title as an FEU head coach, Orcullo emphasized the ‘sweet victory’ after his struggles as a coach like in their last game.

“Nu’ng game two, real talk ‘yung nangyari sa dugout namin… Minsan, sinusubok din ng pagkakataon kung pa’no ako humawak ng team, kung pa’no sila mag-react du’n sa situation na binibigay sa kanila so ‘yung victory ngayon, talagang sweet victory kasi nakikilala pa lang namin ‘yung isa’t isa, eh (Back in game two, we had a real talk in the dugout… Sometimes, time challenges the way I handle the team, how they react to the situation given to them so this victory really is a sweet victory because we’re just getting to know each other),”

Green-and-gold middle blockers Absin and Mendoza contributed a combined 22 points, while Talisayan scored eight points with 13 excellent receptions.

The Tamaraws’ first V-league championship marked their qualification in the Spikers’ Turf where they will be competing against former Morayta-based stars like Jude Garcia, Martin Bugaoan, and many more.

(Photo by Karch Andrei Rafael/FEU Advocate)