Far Eastern University secured its second straight win in the UAAP Season 87 Men’s Volleyball Tournament, sweeping University of the Philippines, 25-21, 25-16, 25-18, on Wednesday afternoon at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
After a slow start in the opening set, the Tamaraws quickly found their rhythm in the second, overpowering the Fighting Maroons, 25-16, to move within striking distance of a straight-sets victory.
UP kept the third set competitive, staying within one point at 15-16 midway through.
However, the combined efforts of Amet Bituin, Mikko Espartero, Ariel Cacao, Dryx Saavedra, and Lirick Mendoza proved too much.
FEU cruised to a dominant win in just one hour and 26 minutes.
“Magandang preparation ito for Sunday’s game against NU. Yung pinakitang receiving at attacking, medyo nakikita natin na maganda yung pinagmumulan, pati yung service receive maganda rin kaya siguro mas magiging maganda yung game sa Sunday,” said Tamaraws head coach Eddieson Orcullo.
With the victory, FEU improved to 2-0, setting up a showdown with fellow unbeaten National University on Sunday at 12:00 PM at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Saavedra led the way with 13 points on 12-of-26 attacks, while Espartero added 10 points on 9-of-15 kills.
The Tamaraws dominated in the spiking department with 44 attack points — 14 more than UP’s 30.
“Palagi naman kaming handa saka ginagawa namin yung best namin sa ensayo, walang nasasayang na oras. Iba na rin ngayon kasi sobrang nageenjoy ang lahat sa laro kaya naipapakita yung best,” said Saavedra, the Season 86 Best Opposite Spiker.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Nigerian spiker Olayemi Raheem was the lone bright spot for the Fighting Maroons, finishing with 16 points off a 16-of-36 attacking clip.
Now at 1-1, UP looks to bounce back when it faces Ateneo on Sunday at 10:00 AM, with both teams aiming to stay in contention early in the season.
