The Far Eastern University Tamaraws did what they were supposed to do, taking down the University of Santo Tomas Tiger Spikers 25-23, 25-22, 25-18 at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
However, the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons’ win over the Adamson Soaring Falcons in the latter match placed the nail on FEU’s Season 78 campaign, erasing their only shot at the Final Four.
FEU, at 7-7, needed UP to loss against the Adamson Soaring Falcons, but the Fighting Maroons scored a major upset, eliminating the Tamaraws.
Graduating opposite hitter Jeric Gacutan dumped his heart out in trying to keep his team in the Final Four race, scoring 14 points on a myriad of attacks. Rookie Jude Garcia added 10 markers while graduating team captain, Josh Barrica added nine markers.
The Tigers kept the first two sets but deflated in the third frame. UST head coach, Odjie Mamon shuffled through his players but found no spark.
“I was trying to give my seniors one last chance. Pero hindi lumabas. Siguro hindi lang para sa amin talaga ang season na ito. We played lower than we expected,” Mamon said.
Playing in their last matches, Patrick Balse tallied eight points, Jason Sarabia managed three markers, Carlo Pangan had seven digs, while setter Paul Castillo tossed eight excellent sets.
FEU finished out of the top four for the second straight year. UST, 4-10, dropped to seventh place after making the Final Four last season.
The Scores:
FEU (3) – Gacutan 14, Garcia 10, Barrica 9, Quiel 7, Dolor 7, Solis 3, Suarez 3, Silang 0, Villegas 0, Marmeto L. (L), Marmeto R. (L)
UST (0) – Medina 8, Balse 8, Bautista 5, Amagan 5, Carodan 5, Sumagaysay 3, Sarabia 3, Buro 1, Tajanlangit 1, Francisco (L), Pangan (L)
