The Far Eastern University Tamaraws sealed an all-UAAP Final Four in the 2018 Premier Volleyball League Collegiate Conference after sweeping the College of Saint Benilde Blazers, 25-19, 25-20, 25-18, in the playoff match, Wednesday morning at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
Middle blockers Peter Quiel and former captain JP Bugaoan had their way in the match, pacing the Morayta-based squad 11 and 15 points, respectively. Most of these points came from blocks, as the Tamaraws edged out the Blazers at the net.
Nonetheless, it was the better execution of the UAAP side in transition that pulled them through in this game. Head coach Rey Diaz said that FEU returned to basics to reverse the result of their preliminary match, wherein the Blazers outlasted them in five sets.
“Ang adjustment kasi, yung team naka-base sa program namin. Nag-focus kami sa individual skills. Tapos kung ano yung mga errors namin, inayos namin,” the young mentor shared.
Diaz also added that, “Naging isang main goal naming mga coaches is ma-lift yung morale ng mga bata.” For the former Tamaraw, these additional games boost the confidence of his players, especially the new ones.”
Going into the semifinals, FEU simply need to focus on the task at hand.
“Kapag pumunta ka sa [venue], lagi kang may purpose,” Diaz said.
Team captain Francis Basilan led the Blazers with 10 points.
The semis tiff between the Tamaraws and the National University Bulldogs is scheduled on Saturday, September 1.
The Scores:
FEU 3 – Bugaoan 15, Quiel 11, Calado 6, Bautista 6, Paler 5, Fernandez 2, Suarez 1, De Asis 1, Silang 0, Salabsab 0, Laganina 0, Barrica L, Lorenzo L.
CSB 0 – Basilan 10, De Sequera 9, Abrot 8, Adviento 4, Bacani 4, Magsino 1, Almonte 1, Rojas 0, San Miguel 0, Dy L, Dumaran L.
