THE UST Golden Spikers stumbled in Game 1 of the 2025 V-League Men’s Collegiate Challenge semifinals, bowing to the FEU Tamaraws in a grueling five-set duel, 23-25, 25-16, 19-25, 26-24, 8-15, on Wednesday, Oct. 1, at the Playtime FilOil Centre in San Juan.
With the loss, UST now faces a must-win Game 2 to stay alive in the best-of-three series for a finals berth.
The Tamaraws opened strong with a 6-3 cushion in the opening set, but errors allowed the Golden Spikers to pull even at 6-all.
A Mikko Espartero hammer gave FEU set point before a GBoy De Vega mishit ended a tight set in favor of the Tamaraws, 25-23.
UST bounced back in the second, riding a dominant offense and defense to build a 16-5 lead.
JJ Macam delivered the finishing blow down the middle to tie the match at one set apiece, 25-16.
The third set saw both squads trade punches until Espartero sparked a 5-0 FEU run to breakaway, 16-21.
A late kill from Luis Miguel capped the set for the Tamaraws, 25-19.
Determined to extend the match, UST leaned on Al-Bukharie Sal for an early 9-5 edge in the fourth.
But FEU’s Doula Ndongala and captain Ariel Cacao rallied their side to tie it up at 23-all.
Alas Pilipinas libero Josh Ybañez then came alive, scoring eight points in the set, including the clutch equalizer that forced a sudden death, 26-24.
In the deciding set, Amet Bituin and Espartero led the charge for FEU as the Golden Spikers struggled with attacking errors, 4-9.
A block from Lirrick Mendoza and Espartero’s finishing kill ended the match, 15-8.
Macam and Sali paced UST with 14 points each, while de Vega added 13 points.
Dryx Saavedra spearheaded FEU with 19 points on 16 attacks, 2 blocks, and an ace. Bituin and Espartero chipped in 16 and 15 points, respectively.
Game 2 of the semis is set tomorrow Oct. 2, at the same venue. F
