Far Eastern University secured a playoff for a twice-to-beat advantage in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Men’s Volleyball Tournament with a hard-fought 25-21, 21-25, 25-22, 25-21 victory over De La Salle University on Wednesday afternoon at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
The Tamaraws had to overcome an uncharacteristic lapse in the second set before leaning on the heroics of Mikko Espartero, Dryx Saavedra, and Amet Bituin to inch closer to a coveted playoff incentive for the third consecutive season.
With the win, FEU also strengthened its hold on solo first place, improving to a 10-1 win-loss record and holding a one-game cushion over defending champion and second-placed National University (9-2).
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“Yung team standing, hindi naman ‘yan ang goal talaga; siguro yung each game na mangyayari, doon magma-matter yung gusto naming mangyari. Kung titingnan niyo yung team standings, tingnan natin yung every single day na papalapit doon sa goal na gusto natin. Siguro ‘yon yung pinakafo-focusan namin na bagay,” Tamaraws head coach Eddieson Orcullo said.
Earlier, Ateneo defeated University of the Philippines, 25-23, 22-25, 23-25, 25-18, 15-7, marking its sixth win in 11 matches.
Meanwhile, La Salle dropped to fifth place with a 5-6 record and will face the Blue Eagles in a match that carries major implications for the No. 4 slot on Saturday at the Filoil Centre in San Juan.
In the third set, FEU recovered from a slow start, turning a 10-12 deficit into a four-point lead at 19-15. Consecutive attacks by Luis Miguel, Bituin, and Charles Absin proved insurmountable for La Salle, giving the Tamaraws a crucial 2-1 sets advantage.
La Salle fought to force a decisive fifth set, staying within reach and even holding a slim 19-18 lead behind a block by Cameroonian middle blocker Issa Ousseini and an Espartero attack error.
However, FEU displayed composure in the clutch, finishing the set on a 7-2 run, capped by two game-winning blocks from Absin, further strengthening their pursuit of a twice-to-beat advantage while complicating La Salle’s path to the Final Four.
Espartero led the Tamaraws with 14 points and 12 excellent receptions, while Bituin added 13 points on 11 attacks and two blocks, along with 11 excellent receptions. Saavedra contributed 12 points.
Lirick Mendoza added eight points on six attacks and two blocks, while Miguel and Absin each had seven points in the one-hour and 50-minute triumph.
Team captain Ariel Cacao recorded 25 excellent sets and one point, and Vennie Ceballos finished with 18 excellent receptions and 10 excellent digs.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
For La Salle, Yoyong Mendoza led with 18 points on 17 attacks and one block, followed by Eugene Gloria with 13 points on 11 attacks, 12 excellent receptions, and four excellent digs.
Chris Hernandez contributed 12 points and 18 excellent receptions, while Ousseini added 10 points.
Rookie setter NJ Bangit had 20 excellent sets, and freshman libero Sherwin Retiro finished with 18 excellent receptions and 12 excellent digs.
