Far Eastern University secured the first twice-to-beat incentive in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Men’s Volleyball Final Four after a 25-23, 25-18, 25-17 victory over also-ran University of the Philippines on Sunday at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
The league-leading Tamaraws improved to an 11-1 record, clinching a Final Four advantage for the third straight season.
“Yung ginagawa ngayon ay sana magdire-diretso hanggang dulo bilang preparation doon sa pagpasok namin sa semis. Sana lang walang magbago, walang madiskaril sa ginagawa namin,” said head coach Eddieson Orcullo after FEU extended its winning run to three matches.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
The Tamaraws got off to a slow start, allowing the Fighting Maroons to build a 20-16 lead in the opening set behind the attacks of Olayemi Raheem, Tommy Castrodes, and Angelo Lipata.
However, FEU stayed composed and responded through Charles Absin, Dryx Saavedra, Amet Bituin, and Mikko Espartero, mounting a 9-3 run to steal the first set, 25-23.
From there, the Tamaraws played with more freedom and control, dominating the second and third sets to complete the straight-sets win in 74 minutes.
Orcullo maximized his roster, fielding all 16 players, with 12 of 14 position players entering the scoring column. Setter Ariel Cacao orchestrated the offense brilliantly, finishing with 19 excellent sets and adding four points.
Absin led FEU with 11 points on six spikes and five blocks, while Saavedra chipped in nine points.
Espartero added eight points and anchored the defense with 11-of-14 excellent receptions, while Lirick Mendoza also contributed eight points.
FEU will close out its elimination round campaign against Adamson University on Saturday at the same UST venue, before facing Ateneo de Manila University on April 22 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Meanwhile, UP dropped to 3-9 in sixth place and will face Adamson on Wednesday at the QPav before wrapping up its season against UST.
Raheem led the Fighting Maroons with 15 points, while Castrodes added nine points and six digs.
