Far Eastern University-DN Steel revived its slim championship hopes with a straight-sets victory over KondohGumi, 25-17, 25-13, 25-18, on the third day of the 2024 Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference round-robin semifinals at the Filoil EcoOil Centre on Sunday.
Dryx Saavedra led the Ultras’ dominant performance in just 79 minutes, finishing with 14 points on an efficient attacking display. He converted 11 of 15 spike attempts and also contributed three blocks.
“‘Yung nangyayari ngayon, nandito kami sa semifinals (kahit bata kami) pero kung titingnan mo ‘yung labanan kaya eh. Dapat lang laban lang,” said FEU-DN Steel head coach Eddieson Orcullo.
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“Dapat ilabas lang namin ‘yung talagang natututunan namin. Kanina, first set, yung error namin walo, ang error ng Japan tatlo so ibig-sabihin napakaraming kailangan pang ayusin sa ginagawa namin,” Orcullo noted, emphasizing that the Ultras, who entered the Spikers’ Turf after winning the V-League Collegiate Challenge, still need to mature on the court.
Unlike the first two sets, where FEU-DN Steel dominated Hyogo from the start, the Ultras needed a late push in the third frame to complete the sweep.
Up by just two points, 18-16, Jelord Talisayan and Saavedra led the charge, powering FEU-DN Steel to a strong 7-2 finish.
Rookie Amet Bituin sealed the victory with a crosscourt kill.
This win followed the Ultras’ three-set losses to the Cignal HD Spikers and the Criss Cross King Crunchers, which opened the semifinals. With the win, FEU-DN Steel improved to a 1-2 record, remaining in fourth place.
The Ultras now aim to sweep Savouge on Friday, hoping that results from other matchups will give them a chance to reach the gold medal match.
Middle blocker Lirick Mendoza added 13 points for the victors, while Talisayan contributed nine points, including three aces, and 11 excellent receptions.
KondohGumi, the selection of university players from Hyogo prefecture, dropped to 0-2. They will next face Cignal on Wednesday at the San Juan Arena.
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For the second straight game, Kaito Onomichi led the scoring for the Japanese guest team with 11 points.
Ryouma Kakimoto added seven points and nine receptions, while Kouma Nakamura contributed five points in two sets of play.
