Top-seeded Far Eastern University survived a stern challenge from fourth-ranked Ateneo de Manila University, 29-27, 25-23, 15-25, 25-19, ahead of their Final Four clash in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Men’s Volleyball Tournament on Wednesday morning at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
It was a gutsy win for the Tamaraws. They first erased four set points in the extended first set, then rallied from a late three-point deficit in the second frame, before recovering from a third-set stumble to clinch their fifth straight victory while sending the Blue Eagles to a second consecutive defeat.
FEU will enter the Final Four armed with a twice-to-beat advantage and a 13-1 win-loss record. On the other hand, Ateneo finished the eliminations with a 7-7 slate but will make its first postseason appearance since Season 81 (2019).
In the Final Four, the Tamaraws will also carry significant momentum over the Blue Eagles after sweeping both elimination-round meetings this Season 88.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“Siguro nag-prepare kami nang maigi ngayon sa last day ng Round 2 ng preliminaries… Magkaintindihan lang dapat kami lagi. Kung ano yung gusto natin, tapos kapag hindi tayo nagkaintindihan, medyo may ano tayo doon. Pero hangga’t nagkakaintindihan kami sa kung ano ang gusto naming mangyari, okay,” FEU head coach Eddieson Orcullo said.
“Yung third set, okay sa akin ’yon. Yung adjustment ng nangyari. Maraming salamat kasi ang daming pwedeng i-add or pwedeng bawasan doon sa ginagawa namin,” he added.
Eager to bounce back from an uncharacteristic third-set performance, the Tamaraws regained their composure in the fourth. They built a comfortable 18-11 lead behind consecutive attacks from Mikko Espartero, Lirick Mendoza, and Dryx Saavedra.
Ateneo stayed within striking distance at 20-16, but FEU maintained control. The team leaned on an Amet Bituin combination play, back-to-back Mendoza points, and the game-winning crosscourt hit from Luis Miguel to seal the four-set victory in one hour and 49 minutes.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
The Tamaraws had earlier rallied from a 19-22 deficit in the second frame to take a crucial two-set advantage, but the Blue Eagles responded with a dominant third set to force a fourth.
Bituin powered FEU with 21 points on 18 attacks and three blocks, along with 14 excellent receptions and six excellent digs. Saavedra then added 16 points.
Espartero finished with 13 points, 19 excellent receptions, and three excellent digs. Mendoza contributed 11 points on six attacks, three blocks, and two aces, along with three excellent digs.
Team captain Ariel Cacao orchestrated the Tamaraws’ balanced offense with 24 excellent sets and also scored two points. Then second-year libero Vennie Ceballos posted 15 excellent receptions and nine excellent digs.
For Ateneo, Nigerian wing spiker Aimar Okeke led the way in the loss with 24 points on 22 attacks and two blocks, along with eight excellent receptions. Jian Salarzon added 13 points, 25 excellent receptions, and four excellent digs.
Season 87 MVP Kennedy Batas contributed 10 points, four excellent receptions, and two excellent digs off the bench.
Rookie middle blocker Rodge Alejos finished with nine points, while Amil Pacinio and Brian Castro chipped in six points each.
