Taking confidence from their upset of the National University Bulldogs, the Far Eastern University Tamaraws followed it up with a four-set conquest of the De La Salle University Green Spikers, 25-23, 25-19, 23-25, 25-18, Saturday morning at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
JP Bugaoan paced the charge of the Morayta-based squad with 17 points, leading three others in double-digits.
Nonetheless, it was the heads-up playmaking of setters Cian Silang and Owen Suarez that made the difference, as the two combined for 54 excellent deliveries in the match.
The Tamaraws had to fight back throughout the match, something head coach Rei Diaz says he and his staff have been working on. “Siguro yung part na yun, pinag-aaralan pa namin,” he shared. “Yung sa warm up namin nag-adjust kami ng time. Pag-uusapan pa namin yun, yung warm-up namin may lapse.”
Nonetheless, the second-year mentor was all praises to his wards. He said, “Kahit sinong ipasok dyan, dapat lalaban; which is na-aadapt naman ng mga bata natin.”
In the fourth set, FEU turned a 12-14 deficit into a 20-14 lead and never looked back. Silang was responsible for tying the frame at 14 with a feint and set to Bugaoan, before the entry of Suarez and Jude Garcia delivered for the lead.
Diaz believes that all his players contributed to the win. He emphasized, “Wala kaming first six, meron lang kami starting six.
“Kahit sinong ilagay dyan, kahit anong position kaya naming pagtakpan. Meron din kaming designated jobs na dapat gawin. Ang maganda hindi natin kalimutan yung dapat natin trabahuhin,” the mentor pointed out.
Arjay Onia topped for La Salle with 19 points, while Jopet Movido anchored the defense with 21 digs and 18 excellent receptions.
The Tamaraws (2-1) will battle perennial nemeses University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers (2-1) on Wednesday, September 13, at 10am. On the other hand, the Green Spikers (1-2) will face the Bulldogs (1-1) on Monday, September 11, at 10am.
The Scores:
FEU 3 – Bugaoan 17, Paler 14, Solis 13, Garcia 11, Quiel 8, Bautista 5, Silang 2, Salabsab 2, Suarez 0, Dablo 0, Provido 0, Marmeto L, Barrica L.
DLSU 1 – Onia 19, Dumago 13, Woo 12, Delos Reyes 10, Jose 7, Asia 0, Bacon 0, Dimayuga 0, Movido L.
