In their best outing of the season, the Far Eastern University Tamaraws ground out a shocking straight-set win over the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, 27-25, 25-17, 25-20, to earn solo third in the UAAP Season 79 Men’s Tournament at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
The Tamaraws survived a back-and-forth first set off a clutch Greg Dolor hit, then a costly UP error, that gave them the edge in a deuce. The Maroons could not recover in the last two frames of the match, with FEU serving up huge mid-set leads. The Tamaraws took advantage of UP’s 28 total errors to maintain momentum.
“Malaking bagay ‘yung panalo kasi lumabas ‘yunh ine-ensayo namin although may mga lapses pa din. Paunti-untin na naming nakukuha ‘yung maturity na hinahanap namin,” said FEU head coach Rey Diaz.
Open hitters Jude Garcia and Peter Quiel led FEU with 12 and 10 points apiece. Skipper Richard Solis, JP Bugaoan, and Greg Dolor each tallied seven markers.
FEU separated themselves from a log-jam and claimed third place momentarily with a 4-2 record. They take on the University of Santo Tomas Tiger Spikers (3-3) on Saturday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Sophomore Mark Millete towed UP with 16 points while skipper Wendel Miguel added 11.
UP fall into a tie with UST for the fourth seed with a 3-3 record. They end their first round against the National University Bulldogs (5-1) on Sunday also at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
The Scores
FEU (3) – Garcia 12, Quiel 10, Bugaoan 7, Dolor 7, Solis 7, Salabsab 2, Bautista 1, Camcam 1, Paler 1, Silang 1, Detalban 0, Villegas 0, Marmeto (L)
UP (0) – Millete 16, Miguel 11, Castillo 5, San Pascual 5, Consuelo 2, Valbuena 2, Acuna 0, Baldelovar 0, Madrigalejos 0, Luna (L), Nasol (L)
