The Far Eastern University Tamaraws had to crawl back to deny the Adamson University Falcons a perfect record and took their second win in five sets, 15-25, 25-19, 21-25, 25-23, 15-13, Wednesday morning at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
FEU’s middle blocker JP Bugaoan emerged as the top scorer for his squad as he finished with 26 points, while skipper RJ Paler had 17 markers. Adamson’s Paolo Pablico temporarily takes the lead in the league for scoring after registering 29 points.
The Falcons started like a house on fire after easily taking the first at a 13-point margin, taking advantage of FEU’s faulty reception. Nonetheless, the Tamaraws leaned on their net defense in the following sets to ultimately stop the Taft-based opponents’ unbeaten run in the conference.
Adamson almost completed the comeback in the fourth set, tying the count at 23, erasing an eight-point deficit at 13-21, with Pablico taking over. Nonetheless, with FEU’s firepower, a good conversion sealed the fourth and forced a decider. The Tamaraws then used this momentum and ended the match with a denial of another Pablico attack.
FEU might be getting their groove lately but head coach Rey Diaz shared that they are taking it one game at a time.
He shared, “Ang team is naka-focus dun sa program na alam naman ng players. Ayaw naman namin magmadali.
“Hangga’t maaari, i-correct namin yung mali nila. Yung galaw na tama, si9la din naman mag-bebenifit dun,” the Tamaraws mentor added.
The Morayta-based squad (2-2) will try to extend the win streak they face the National U Bulldogs on August 12 at 11 am, while Adamson (4-1) battles UST (4-0) on August 11 at 9 am.
The Scores:
FEU 3 – Bugaoan 26, Paler 17, Quiel 14, Bautista 9, Calado 6, De Asis 5, Suarez 1, Jungco 1, Laganina 1, Fernandez 1, Silang 0, Salabsab 0, Barrica L, Lorenzo L.
AdU 2 – Pablico 29, Labang 16, Miranda 8, Bello 8, Amburgo 5, Alvarez 5, Alicando 4, Valdez 0, Pinar 0, Florendo L, Nuguid L.
