Far Eastern University overcame an error-filled second set and a tense third to edge past the University of the East, 25-20, 25-23, 25-23, claiming a share of the early lead in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Men’s Volleyball Tournament, Wednesday at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
The Tamaraws shrugged off 13 errors in the second frame before leaning on Mikko Espartero, Dryx Saavedra, and Congolese middle blocker Doula Ndongala to secure a narrow third-set win, completing their 2-0 start in their title redemption campaign.
Having not dropped a set in their first two games, FEU shares first place with five-peat defending champion National University ahead of their Season 87 Finals rematch on Saturday, February 21, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
Earlier, the Bulldogs cruised past the Adamson University Soaring Falcons in straight sets, also improving to a 2-0 slate.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“Respect doon sa opponent namin in UE kasi nakita niyo naman yung game ng UE. Ayaw magbigay ng puntos. Yung depensa at serving, gusto magkaroon kami ng out of system play. Thank you rin sa boys kasi kahit papaano, na-overcome namin yung bagay na ‘yon,” Tamaraws head coach Eddieson Orcullo said.
“Siguro ano na lang din, mindsetting… Yung game sa Saturday, basta lalaruin namin yung best that we can be and ilalabas lang namin yung full potential ng isa,” he added.
After an Amet Bituin crosscourt hit gave FEU a comfortable five-point, 22-17 lead in the third set, UE responded with determination, scoring four straight points through an Isaiah Roca off-the-block attack, a Xjhann Camaymayan quick hit, a Raquim Aceron crosscourt, and a Jio Rada ace to narrow the gap to 22-21.
Rada and Ndongala then traded service errors, but the Tamaraws’ early five-point advantage proved insurmountable. A Mikko Espartero crosscourt hit followed by a costly attack error by Cjay Nabora sealed the hard-fought win in 77 minutes.
Earlier in the second set, FEU broke a 23-all tie with a Dryx Saavedra down-the-line hit and a Lirick Mendoza quick attack, securing a 2-0 set advantage despite committing 13 errors in the frame.
Mendoza led FEU with 16 points on 11 attacks, four blocks, and one ace, while Saavedra added 11 points on nine attacks and two blocks, complementing seven excellent digs.
Ndongala contributed 10 points on seven attacks and three blocks, while Bituin added nine points on seven attacks and two aces, plus two excellent digs and two excellent receptions.
Espartero chipped in seven points on six attacks and 11 excellent receptions, while team captain Ariel Cacao orchestrated the offense with 23 excellent sets and two points.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Meanwhile, UE’s struggles continued, suffering its 23rd consecutive loss since Season 86 after a five-set defeat to the University of the Philippines last Saturday.
Roca led the Red Warriors with 11 points on nine attacks, while Aceron, who scored 26 points against the Fighting Maroons, was limited to nine points on eight attacks and one block, along with 11 excellent receptions.
Nabora contributed seven attacks, seven excellent receptions, and five excellent digs, while Camamayan added eight points on five attacks and three blocks.
UE will look for a breakthrough when it faces Adamson University on the same date and venue.
