Far Eastern University secured the first spot in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Men’s Volleyball Final Four after outlasting at-home University of Santo Tomas, 25-16, 34-36, 25-17, 25-18, on Sunday at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
The win was the perfect bounce-back for the Tamaraws, who were coming off their first loss last week to the National University Bulldogs. By defeating their traditional rivals, FEU improved its record to 9-1, extending its lead for the top seed to one full game over second-running NU at 8-2.
This marks FEU’s seventh consecutive season in the Final Four, but the Tamaraws remain determined to end their 14-year title drought.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“’Yung game talagang pinaghandaan namin ‘yung moment na maglalaro kami sa bahay ng UST kasi ini-expect ko talaga na mapupuno ‘yung arena ng mga taga-UST. Salamat sa boys, maganda naman ang naging result,” said Tamaraws head coach Eddieson Orcullo after the two-hour, four-minute battle, which included a 45-minute second set.
After the marathon second frame, which ended in favor of the Golden Spikers thanks to a Vryvin Catinsag service ace, the Tamaraws quickly recalibrated and took the third set convincingly, 25-17.
In the fourth frame, FEU led by just two points at 17-15 before pulling away as Amet Bituin, Miko Espartero, Dryx Saavedra, and Ariel Cacao combined on an 8-3 run to seal the win—and their Final Four berth.
Cacao led the way with 24 excellent sets and three points, distributing the ball effectively to six teammates who scored at least seven points each. Saavedra topped the scoring with 21 points on 17 spikes, two blocks, and two aces.
Bituin contributed 15 points, Espartero added 13, while Lirick Mendoza had nine. Doula Ndongala and Charles Absin also scored seven points each.
FEU’s next challenge is a rematch against a resurgent De La Salle University on April 8 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Meanwhile, Josh Ybañez carried the load for UST, tallying 21 points and eight receptions, but the Golden Spikers fell to 6-4, remaining in third place.
UST has lost three of its last four matches and trails NU by two games in the race for a twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four. Joncriz Ayco added 15 points in the defeat.
The Golden Spikers will look to rebound on their home court this Easter Sunday against the University of the East.
