Far Eastern University refused to see its perfect record blemished, overcoming a skidding University of Santo Tomas side in a 26-24, 25-23, 25-19 sweep to stay unbeaten in the UAAP Season 87 Men’s Volleyball Tournament on Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
Behind the balanced efforts of Mikko Espartero, Ariel Cacao, and Dryx Saavedra, the Tamaraws stretched their winning streak to eight matches while handing the Golden Spikers their third consecutive defeat.
Once holding a 4-1 record, UST now finds itself outside the Final Four picture, slipping to solo fifth place with a 4-4 slate. The Golden Spikers are a game behind Ateneo de Manila University and De La Salle University, whose weekend victories propelled them to a share of third place with identical 5-3 records.
This victory also reinforced FEU’s dominance over UST, having previously defeated them in their Season 87 opener in four sets last February 15.
“Huwag lang dapat kami makuntento tsaka mag-relax. Yung mga nangyari sa sets, especially sa first and second sets… Dapat hanggang hindi natatapos yung match or yung set, hindi dapat kami tumigil,” FEU head coach Eddieson Orcullo said.
He admitted, “May momentum na minsan pero hindi pa nagwi-whistle yung referee pero tumitigil na kami sa paggalaw. Medyo linisin pa dapat namin ‘yon at iba pang bagay-bagay.”
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
The Tamaraws faced an early 2-8 deficit in the third set but responded with a dominant 14-6 run. Saavedra’s crosscourt hit and a backrow attack from team captain Jelord Talisayan gave FEU a slim 16-14 lead.
From that point, the Tamaraws seized control, with a block from Congolese middle blocker Doula Ndongala, a service error by UST team captain Dux Yambao then a Saavedra backrow attack. An Espartero crosscourt hit sealed their eighth consecutive win.
The second set was tightly contested, with UST closing in at 23-22 after an off-the-block hit from Jayrack Dela Noche. However, clutch attacks from Espartero and Talisayan allowed FEU to build a commanding two-set advantage.
In the opening set, the Tamaraws displayed poise under pressure, overcoming a 21-24 deficit with a crucial 5-0 run led by Espartero, Cacao, and Amet Bituin to snatch the set.
“Sa akin, same pa rin yung sinasabi ko katulad nung last round namin na huwag namin intayin na matalo kami bago kami maggrind pa. Kaya sinasabi ko sa kanila every training na ibigay natin yung 100 percent natin sa training kasi ‘yon yung magdidikta ng laro namin sa actual game,” Cacao said.
Cacao orchestrated FEU’s offense with 28 excellent sets, leading to two Tamaraws scoring in double figures.
Espartero top-scored with 18 points on 17-of-35 kills and one block, adding seven excellent receptions. Saavedra provided ample support with 13 points on 13-of-25 attack efficiency, while Lirick Mendoza contributed eight points on five attacks and three blocks.
Starting libero Vennie Ceballos recorded 12 excellent receptions and eight excellent digs.
FEU will look to extend its winning streak to nine against a winless University of the East squad on Wednesday, March 26, at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
On the other hand, two-time UAAP MVP Josh Ybanez paced the Golden Spikers with 15 points, 10 excellent receptions, and three excellent digs. Dela Noche tallied 12 points on 11 attacks and one block in the losing effort.
Top rookie JJ Macam, who ended the first round as the frontrunner for the Best Outside Spiker award and ranked 12th in total scoring with 85 points, was limited to just three points on a 3-of-15 attack efficiency.
UST will attempt to break its slump against La Salle on Saturday, March 29, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
