Far Eastern University moved a step closer to clinching the top seed in the UAAP Season 87 Men’s Volleyball Final Four with a swift 25-16, 25-16, 25-22 sweep of also-ran Adamson University on Saturday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
With their third straight win, the Tamaraws improved to a league-best 12-1 record and are now just one victory away from matching their best elimination round finish in 14 years, a 13-1 slate last achieved in Season 73 back in 2011.
Standing in FEU’s way to the top seed — and a historic feat — is De La Salle University, which they will face on Saturday, April 26, at the same Cubao venue to wrap up their elimination campaign.
“Yung players kasi na 14 na nasa roster namin, hindi pwede mag-relax lang na nagchi-cheer ka lang doon sa anim sa loob, dapat ma-seize rin nila yung moment na makuha nila yung chance na ma-showcase yung sarili nila. Kaya every time na ginagamit at pinapasok sila, dapat all out yung bigay nila sa match,” said Tamaraws head coach Eddieson Orcullo.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
In the third set, the Soaring Falcons rallied from a four-point deficit, with a block by Marc Paulino and an attack error from Lirick Mendoza pushing Adamson ahead, 19-18.
The frame reached a 21-all deadlock before Paulino committed two crucial errors, followed by a block from Amet Bituin on the same player. Mendoza then delivered the game-winning quick hit, sealing FEU’s sixth consecutive win over Adamson since Season 85 in just 82 minutes.
Earlier, Adamson stayed within striking distance in the second set at 16-12, thanks to a quick hit by Leo Coguimbal. But the Tamaraws responded with a decisive 6-0 run — highlighted by a Dryx Saavedra ace, a block from Mikko Espartero, a Mendoza quick attack, and an Aguilar error — to pull away 22-12 and take a commanding two-set lead.
Saavedra led the way with 13 points on 10 attacks, while Bituin impressed in his second straight start with 13 points on nine kills alongside seven excellent receptions.
Espartero chipped in nine points on seven attacks and added six excellent receptions, while Congolese middle blocker Doula Ndongala contributed seven points off four attacks and three blocks.
Third-year playmaker Ariel Cacao orchestrated the offense with 20 excellent sets, while rookie libero Vennie Ceballos anchored the defense with 13 excellent receptions and 12 excellent digs.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Meanwhile, Adamson absorbed its fourth straight loss to drop to 2-10, with two more games left in the elimination round against La Salle and the also-ran UP Fighting Maroons.
No Soaring Falcon reached double figures, with Lourenz Domingo and Marc Paulino leading the team with six points apiece. Top scorer Jude Aguilar was limited to just four points on 4-of-19 attack efficiency.
Adamson will return to action after the league’s eight-day Holy Week break with a match against La Salle on Wednesday, April 23, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
