Benny Martinez set the table for a well-balanced Far Eastern University attack as they cruised past University of the East, 25-16, 25-23, 25-19, to post its finest start in six years in the UAAP Season 87 Men’s Volleyball Tournament on Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Martinez distributed the ball with precision, allowing multiple FEU attackers to shine as the Tamaraws improved to 5-0.
The last time FEU opened a season with five straight wins was in Season 81 (2019), when the Morayta-based side completed a first-round sweep.
“Actually, tuloy-tuloy lang ginagawa namin. Hindi kami nagsta-stop. Yung mga struggles, I think na-overcome na namin, especially yung mga nagkasakit,” Tamaraws assistant coach Rene Dulay, who will be taking over post-game duties for the meantime as head coach Eddieson Orcullo is still recovering from an Achilles tear surgery.
“Ang tingin namin, with a combined team effort, malaking factor ‘yon kasi with a 5-0 record, we’re still pushing para mas gumanda pa yung performance namin in the next games.”
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Mikko Espartero, Luis Miguel, Dryx Saavedra, and Congolese middle blocker Doula Ndongala spearheaded FEU’s offensive onslaught. They capitalized on Martinez’s steady playmaking to build a comfortable 18-13 lead in the third set.
UE attempted to mount a comeback, cutting the deficit to 20-19 after an off-speed hit from RJ Aceron, an Axel Defeo block, and a Charles Absin attack error.
However, two consecutive miscues from Aceron and Steven Aligayon, followed by an ace from Amet Bituin and back-to-back blocks from Ariel Cacao, sealed the victory for FEU.
Earlier, the Red Warriors also came close in the second set, rallying from 23-17 to 23-22 behind Aceron and Aligayon. But two costly service errors from both players handed the Tamaraws a 2-0 set advantage.
It was a similar story in the opening frame, where FEU jumped to a commanding 19-7 lead, only to see UE trim it to 19-15. Still, Martinez kept the offense flowing, and the Tamaraws closed the set with a 6-1 run to take early control of the match.
“Ang nangyari, kinakausap namin sila lagi na bibigyan namin ng break lahat hangga’t maaari. Hindi one-man show lang yung kakalabasan, well-distributed dapat points yung binibigay nila,” Dulay added.
He added, “Nagawa naman namin, kaya namin nakuha yung game, tsaka nagde-deliver lahat. Kaya better ito at improving yung team right now.”
FEU displayed a balanced scoring attack as Espartero led the effort with eight points and six excellent digs. Meanwhile, middle blocker Lirick Mendoza also scored eight points built on five attacks and three blocks.
Team captain Jelord Talisayan tallied seven points on six attacks and one block with eight excellent receptions. Saavedra also contributed seven points on five attacks and two blocks with two excellent digs.
Ndongala chipped in seven points with four blocks and three attacks.
Martinez tossed 10 excellent sets and one point, while starting libero Vennie Caballos achieved 12 excellent receptions and three excellent digs.
The Tamaraws will next face the Adamson University Soaring Falcons this Saturday at the same Pasay venue.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
On the other hand, the Red Warriors remained winless and at the bottom of the standings with a 0-5 record. This marked their 12th straight defeat dating back to the second round opener of Season 86.
Aligayon scored a game-high effort of 13 points on 12 attacks and one block in the losing effort, while Aceron tallied 11 points on nine attacks and two blocks with 15 excellent receptions and three excellent digs.
Roy Piojo contributed nine points, five excellent receptions, and four excellent digs.
Dave Poquito, who got the starting setter nod as Joseph Bicar felt under the weather, dished out eight excellent sets.
UE will continue its hunt for a breakthrough win when it clashes against De La Salle University on Saturday at the same venue.
