A dream season propelled Far Eastern University to the top of the standings after the elimination round.
But they found their dreams abruptly cut short in the Final Four.
The Tamaraws ended up on the wrong side of history, with the UST Golden Spikers becoming the first-ever fourth seed to reach the Finals in the Final Four era.
UST completely stunned FEU in two games, winning 25-23, 25-19, 28-26 in the first game to force a do-or-die match.
Then the Golden Spikers followed it up with a 25-18, 21-25, 26-24, 26-24 victory on Wednesday.
With the wins, they made history and will advance to the best-of-three finale against three-time defending champion National University.
The Tamaraws’ performance in the elimination round was impressive, finishing on top with a 12-2 record, only losing twice to the Bulldogs.
This was also the first time that FEU ended as the top seed since Season 74 (2012), which was the last time they hoisted the championship trophy.
For first-year Tamaraws head coach Edd Orcullo, there’s nothing else left to do but to learn from this season.
(C) Nicks Hernandez/UAAP Season 86 Media Team
“Yung nangyari ngayon, yan ang dapat hindi namin makalimutan. Pare-parehong feeling eh kasi yan ang isa sa bagay na dapat namin lagi maunawaan – na sa susunod, hindi kami titigil talaga. Alam niyo yun, hindi titigil sa pagtatrabaho hanggang hindi natatapos yung season,” said Orcullo.
“Pero huwag natin kalimutan na minsan nade-delay talaga ang mga bagay-bagay, pero yung delay sometimes is not denied,” he added.
Now, Orcullo is trying to find the words to boost his players’ morale after this heart-breaking season.
He also expressed his gratitude for the support of the FEU community as gate attendance for their final game against UST reached 6,051.
“Hopefully, sa mga bata maibigay ko yung mga words of encouragement para mas lalo kaming tumibay as one sa FEU,” said Orcullo.
“Maraming salamat po sa FEU community. Talagang napakalaki ng pasasalamat namin sa inyo, yung buong puso niyo – maraming salamat,” he told the supporters.
“Sana hanggang sa dulo, hanggang sa susunod na season natin, huwag niyo kaming iwanan kasi isa kayo sa bumubuhay sa amin eh.”
