For the first time in Premier Volleyball League history, the National University Bulldogs will not be in the Finals.
The Far Eastern University Tamaraws snatched the throne from NU, finishing their semifinals series in a classic Game Two, 25-14, 16-25, 25-22, 22-25, 15-12, at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
Both squads had key players log limited minutes due to the on-going UAAP Beach Volleyball tournament. Still, other players played pivotal roles to drag the match to a third straight five-setter between both squads.
“Kita mo talaga ‘yung kagustuhan ng mga players manalo. Siguro, nagkakitaan na lang ng puso talaga noong dulo,” said FEU head coach Rey Diaz.
“Lagi naming sinasabi ng mga coaches sa mga players na alam namin na kaya nilang maabot ‘yung Finals pati matalo ‘yung malalakas na team. Sumunod lang sila sa gameplan at magtiwala sa sarili,” added the emotional head coach.
Redijohn Paler and JP Bugaoan led the Tamaraws with 17 and 14 points, respectively while Raymond Bautista and Peter Quiel added nine apiece.
Since beginning as the Spikers’ Turf, the PVL will feature FEU in the Finals for the first time. Their foes will either be the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles or University of Santo Tomas Tiger Spikers, depending on the outcome of their Game Three encounter on Monday.
John Vincent Ogoc led the Bulldogs with 19 points, while Fauzi Ismail added 18. NU continued their error-prone ways, compiling 33 to FEU’s 24.
The Scores
FEU (3) – Paler 17, Bugaoan 14, Bautista 9, Quiel 9, Solis 8, Suarez 5, Garcia 4, Dablo 2, Silang 2, Detalban 0, Marmeto (L)
NU (2) – Ogoc 19, Ismail 18, Gampong 17, Malabunga 11, Bagunas 4, Saura 4, Dayandante 1, Ancheta 0, Natividad 0, Marcos (L)
