The Ateneo Blue Eagles celebrate a point against La Salle in the 2025 V-League Collegiate Challenge, October 2, 2025 at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan. PVL Media
MANILA -- Ateneo de Manila University ended De La Salle University's unbeaten run in the 2025 V-League Collegiate Challenge to stay in the hunt for a place in the tournament Finals on Thursday.
The Blue Eagles shocked their archrivals, 28-26, 25-16, 23-25, 26-24, at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan to force a do-or-die Game 3 in their semifinals series.
Ateneo stumbled in the third set but leaned on clutch performances from Amil Pacinio, Jian Salarzon, and Miguel Yu to recover in Set 4 and put a stop to La Salle's eight-match winning streak.
The deciding match is set for Saturday, October 6, at the Ynares Center in Montalban, Rizal.
READ: La Salle turns back Ateneo to inch closer to Finals
"Sinabi ko lang na kailangan nilang i-acknowledge na kaya nila at alam nila yung gagawin. Talagang may doubt pa sa sarili nila at sa kilos nila, pero thank you sa kanila kasi sila nag-trabaho nito, hindi ako. In-acknowledge lang nila yung gusto nila mangyari," Blue Eagles head coach Vince Mangulabnan said.
The marathon fourth frame was a seesaw battle, with back-to-back miscues—a net touch by Salarzon and an overreach by JJ Rodriguez—allowing La Salle to tie the score at 22-all.
Salarzon, however, quickly made up for his error with a crosscourt strike, followed by a Chris Hernandez attack error that gave Ateneo match point at 24-23.
Hernandez recovered with an off-the-block hit to extend the set, but Yu answered with his own crosscourt conversion to hand the Blue Eagles another match point.
The duel finally ended when Eugene Gloria's attempt went wide, sealing Ateneo's gritty triumph in one hour and 58 minutes.
"Sobrang laki ng tiwala ko sa mga bata na ngayon na yung time na pwede kami maka-experience ulit sa sobrang tagal ng championship. Binigyan kami ni Lord ng opportunity at binigyan nila yung sarili nila ng opportunity makaapak ulit doon. Sana ma-grab namin," Mangulabnan added.
Pacinio spearheaded Ateneo's charge with 20 points built on 19 attacks and one ace, while Salarzon was close behind with 18 points off 16 attacks and two aces, along with 12 excellent receptions.
Yu also stepped up with 16 points and six excellent receptions, while middle blockers Brian Castro and rookie Rodge Alejos chipped in eight points apiece in the winning effort.
On the other side, Gloria carried the fight for La Salle with 16 points on 15 attacks and one ace to go with nine excellent receptions, while Issa Ousseini added 14 points.