DLSU seals top seed with five-set escape vs UST in V-League

De La Salle University capped a flawless elimination round run in the 2025 V-League Collegiate Challenge after outlasting University of Santo Tomas in a gripping five-set showdown, 23-25, 25-21, 25-23, 24-26, 15-12, on Monday, September 29, at the FilOil Centre in San Juan.

Fueled by a balanced attack, the Green Spikers leaned on Issa Ousseini’s all-around brilliance, finishing with 20 points built on 13 attacks and seven blocks. 

Rui Ventura came off the bench to spark La Salle with 18 points, including the decisive hit that gave them breathing room in the fifth set. 

Eugene Gloria also played a stellar two-way game, chipping in 17 attacks, 16 excellent receptions, and a backrow kill that sealed the sweep.

Despite the return of national team standout Josh Ybañez, who tallied 13 points and provided crucial saves in UST’s fourth-set fightback, the Golden Spikers fell short due to costly errors down the stretch. 

Trevor Valera and GBoy De Vega supported with 12 points apiece, but it wasn’t enough to stop the Green Spikers’ charge.

With a perfect 7-0 record, DLSU earned the top seed and a semifinal showdown against archrival Ateneo (4-3). 

UST, meanwhile, settled for second seed at 5-2 and will face defending champion FEU in the other Final Four pairing.