Far Eastern University’s message throughout the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Men’s Volleyball Tournament remained constant: Seize the moment.
That mindset was forged through seasons of heartbreak for the Tamaraws, who were stunned in the Final Four two years ago and fell short in the Finals the following season — both times despite finishing atop the elimination round standings.
This season, among FEU’s array of heavy hitters, it was sophomore Amet Bituin who stepped into the spotlight when it mattered most. He delivered in the most crucial stretch of their Final Four clash against Ateneo de Manila University on Wednesday.
With the Blue Eagles threatening a comeback and pushing to force a rubber match, Bituin made sure the Tamaraws stayed in control of a five-set thriller.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
After Ateneo strung together three straight points to trim an 8-12 deficit to just 11-12, Bituin halted FEU’s scoring drought with a crosscourt kill. Aimar Okeke responded for the Eagles to keep things tight at 12-13.
Bituin then took over in the clutch, finishing the match on his own terms with a crosscourt hit followed by an off-the-block attack to seal the 25-23, 20-25, 16-25, 25-17, 15-12 victory and book FEU the first ticket to the Finals.
“Kanina yung naging usapan namin ni Kuya Ariel. Thankful din ako kasi nagtiwala siya sa akin. Sa mga teammates ko, nagtiwala sa akin. Si Vennie yung coverage, yung bawat isa,” shared Bituin.
“Sobrang thankful ako kasi nung hiningi ko kay Kuya Cao na ‘Ya, bato mo dito, gagawan at gagawan ko ng paraan.’ Thank you sa mga teammates ko kasi sila yung nag-boost sa akin para magawa ko yung mga ganong bagay,” he continued.
Bituin finished with 12 points, none bigger than his final three, along with 10 receptions and five digs.
Dryx Saavedra led FEU’s balanced attack with 14 points, while Lirick Mendoza and Mikko Espartero added 13 and 11 points, respectively.
Setter Ariel Cacao orchestrated the offense with 26 excellent sets as the Tamaraws fended off the Blue Eagles to secure their second straight Finals appearance.
FEU will face the winner between second-ranked National University and third-seed University of Santo Tomas.
“Kanina nasa isip ko lang nung last part na nung game, habang naglalaro, nagpi-pray ako sa utak ko na, ‘Lord, bigyan Niyo pa po ako ng kaunting lakas para ma-push pa po itong laro na ito, para ma-overcome ko itong laro na ito, para makuha namin ang laro na ito’,” said Bituin.
Prayer answered — and Bituin may have just been the shooting star FEU needed to finally get over the hump.
