Continuing to overwhelm the opposition, the Far Eastern University Tamaraws remained perched atop the UAAP Season 81 Men’s Volleyball tournament standings, stifling the Adamson University Soaring Falcons, 25-14, 25-23, 25-23, at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
FEU leaned on another balanced effort to thwart late Adamson rallies in the second and third set. Graduating captain Richard Solis and open hitter Jude Garcia led the Tamaraws with 12 points, apiece. Meanwhile, middle blocker JP Bugaoan added 11 markers, including four of FEU’s 12 blocks.
Tamaraws head coach Rey Diaz emphasized the need for his team to stay focused through their unblemished start in six matches.
“Happy kami kasi nga tuloy-tuloy ‘yung panalo namin. Ang importante naman is consistent ‘yung nilalaro ng players namin and nakaka-execute kami lalo na kapag dikitan,” said Diaz. “Six games pa lang and mahaba pa ‘yung season, so kailangan pa namin i-polish ‘yung mga pagkukulang namin. Alam naman namin na may level pang kayang abutin ‘yung players namin.”
The Falcons, who dropped their second straight loss, were led by graduating skipper Pao Pablico with 12 points. George Labang contributed 11 markers.
FEU (6-0) close their first-round campaign against the De La Salle University (2-4) on Sunday. On the other hand, Adamson (3-2) take on the Ateneo De Manila University (3-2) on Wednesday. Both matches will be played at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
The Scores
FEU (3) – Garcia 12, Solis 12, Bugaoan 11, Paler 9, Quiel 8, Suarez 3, Calado 0, De Asis 0, Silang 0, Barrica (L), Lorenzo (L)
AdU (0) – Pablico 12, Labang 11, Miranda 7, Bello 6, Alvarez 3, Jimenez 2, Alicando 0, Nuguid 0, Valdez (L)