With their Final Four loss to the same team still stinging, the Far Eastern University Tamaraws got early redemption, rallying past the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles for their third win in UAAP Season 81, 20-25, 25-22, 25-22, 20-25, 16-14, at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
Trading close set win, both squads battled in a see-saw decider. Janjan Rivera and Ron Medalla fired off-the-block hits that gave the Blue Eagles a 12-10 lead. Strong FEU defense and serving gave JP Bugaoan and Jude Garcia room to pull the Tamaraws ahead, 13-12. Smart plays from setter Owen Suarez kept the Tamaraws in front until he took charge from the service line. Suarez coaxed chances from the Ateneo offense and set up Garcia and captain Richard Solis to finish off the Blue Eagles.
“Matibay talaga ‘yung Ateneo eh. Andoon pa rin ‘yung heart nila kasi galing sila sa championship. So magandang gift sa amin ni God ito na, kailangan mas tumibay pa kami kung may gusto kaming marating sa season na ito,” said FEU head coach Rey Diaz, lauding the play of his setter.
“Makikita talaga natin kung sino ‘yung matibay. Pinakita ni Owen ngayon kung gaano siya katibay. Siguro noong mga first set, nagga-gamble pa siya, pero nakapag-adjust naman eh. Ang volleyball naman, ang pinakamahalaga, kung sino ang makakakuha ng last point, which is ginawa niya naman,” added Diaz as Suarez tossed 37 excellent sets and contributed three points.
Fourth-year open hitter Jude Garcia led four Tamaraws in double-digits with 23 points. Graduating RJ Paler added 19 markers off 13 attacks, four blocks, and two aces.
Open hitter Ron Medalla and middle blocker Chumason Njigha topped the Blue Eagles with 19 points apiece.
Both squads play their next matches at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. FEU (3-0) takes on University of Santo Tomas (2-1) on Saturday while Ateneo (1-2) faces University of the East (1-1) on Sunday.
The Scores
FEU (3) – Garcia 23, Paler 19, Bugaoan 12, Solis 12, Quiel 9, Suarez 3, Calado 1, De Asis 0, Padon 0, Silang 0, Barrica (L), Lorenzo (L)
ADMU (2) – Medalla 19, Njigha 19, Rivera 18, Koyfman 15, Glorioso 7, Magadia 1, Aguilar 0, Morado 0, Trinidad 0, Sumanguid (L)
