For the past 360 days, Far Eastern University carried the heaviest weight on its shoulders.
After a stellar elimination round campaign in the UAAP Season 86 Men’s Volleyball Tournament, the Tamaraws’ postseason dreams were abruptly shattered when the UST Golden Spikers made history as the first-ever fourth seed to reach the Finals in the Final Four era on May 8, 2024.
Despite enjoying a successful pre-season — capped by their first-ever V-League Men’s Collegiate Challenge title — the question remained: Could FEU exorcise the ghost of Season 86?
Eliminated in the Final Four last year despite holding the top seed, the Tamaraws finally shook off the burden. On May 3, 2025, they booted out the DLSU Green Spikers in just one game, 24-26, 25-23, 25-19, 25-20, to book their first UAAP Finals appearance since Season 81 in 2019.
For head coach Eddieson Orcullo, the pain and regret of Season 86 became the team’s fuel and driving force in their quest to bring the championship back to Morayta — the home of the winningest UAAP men’s volleyball program with 25 titles — for the first time since Season 74 in 2012.
“Yung nangyari kasi nung last season na dalawang beses tayo tinalo ng UST, everyday nakaharap sa mukha namin ‘yon ‘eh, yung tipo na everyday, hindi mo matatanggal. Actually, yung nangyari noong Season 86, parang ‘yon yung naging motivation ‘eh na para ngayon, panghawakan namin maigi,” Orcullo said.
“Kung nakikita niyo lang sana yung everyday na ginagawa [namin] sa ensayo at everyday na ginagawa sa mga bata na nag-aaral at naglalaro, medyo masarap lang tignan kasi unang-una yung coaches namin, sa sobrang kagustuhan na makuha yung gusto naming mangyari, talagang all aboard sila.”
Seniors Ariel Cacao and Dryx Saavedra — both part of the Season 86 roster — admitted that the Tamaraws’ revamped chemistry and the brotherhood they built within the team were crucial in moving past the heartbreak of last season.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
That chemistry and camaraderie were on full display Saturday afternoon, as five Tamaraws scored in double figures to carry FEU to a Finals appearance six years in the making.
“Para sa akin, unang-una yung relationship ng bawat isa, inside and outside the court, kasi ‘yon talaga ‘eh, yung brotherhood namin. Medyo walang gap ngayon ‘eh, walang senior [or] walang junior, halos lahat kami pantay-pantay yung respeto sa bawat isa,” said Cacao, who dished out 31 excellent sets.
“Walang lumilihis ng landas at walang nagpapasaway. ‘Yon yung pinakamaganda sa team namin ngayong season, yung samahan talaga.
“Siyempre bagong samahan na ‘eh, tsaka hindi na tulad last year. Siguro nung off-season pa lang, binuo na namin yung relationship sa isa’t isa ‘eh. Naging intact yung team at nasa iisang landas lang kaya nakuha namin yung ngayon. Parang ang gaan maglaro sa loob ng court kasi nagtutulungan lahat at ginagawa yung part nila,” shared Saavedra, who scored 11 points against La Salle.
While the Tamaraws will take time to celebrate the historic moment, Orcullo reminded his squad to stay locked in for what promises to be a grueling Finals match-up — either against defending champion National University or back-to-back runner-up UST.
Regardless of who they face, Orcullo emphasized how grateful he is to lead the Tamaraws during this golden opportunity to end their 13-year title drought.
“Dapat naka-focus kami sa present, kung paano namin haharapin yung Finals. Yung mabigyan ako ng opportunity na maupo ako sa pwesto ko ngayon, laking bagay na ‘eh. Siguro, walang titigil, ‘yon naman ‘yon ‘eh,” Orcullo said.
“Nabigyan ako ng opportunity, kaya maraming salamat kasi hindi lahat, nabibigyan ng opportunity tulad ng sa akin. Trabaho, trabaho, trabaho na muna talaga. Tsaka pinaka-importante kasi yung volleyball sa amin, parang ‘yon yung hininga namin. Pag walang volleyball, parang kulang yung araw namin. Kaya siguro gumagaan yung trabaho namin dahil mahal namin yung isa’t isa.”
