Building on their league-best start, the Far Eastern University Tamaraws outlasted the University of Santo Tomas Tiger Spikers, 17-25, 25-22, 20-25, 25-19, 15-13, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
FEU stayed unscathed in four matches, their best start since Season 74. Third-year head coach Rey Diaz credited his team’s resiliency for their second five-set win of Season 81.
“Actually, ‘yung pagiging walang talo ay mahirap eh. Dalawa kasi ‘yung mahirap i-motivate; ‘yung walang panalo tsaka walang talo. Swerte lang kami doon kami sa walang talo pero mahirap pa rin i-motivate ‘yung player,” the young mentor shared.
“Kaya lagging reminder ko, mapa-training, mapa-game, nasaan ‘yung goal natin? Kontento na ba tayo? ‘Yun ang lagi ang tanong ko sa kanila,” said Diaz.
Errors got in FEU’s way through the first three sets. A sudden burst from fourth-year winger Jude Garcia gave the Tamaraws a convincing fourth set win to force a decider.
The back-and-forth fifth set ended with FEU finding quick transition plays to finish off the Tiger Spikers.
Garcia finished with 23 points off 16 attacks, six blocks, and an ace. Middle blocker JP Bugaoan added 19 markers.
Joshua Umandal tallied a UAAP career-high 29 points while rookie Jaron Requinton managed 16 markers.
Both teams play their next matches on Wednesday at the FilOil Flying V Centre. FEU (4-0) takes on University of the East (1-2) while UST (2-2) faces La Salle (1-3).
The Scores
FEU (3) – Garcia 23, Bugaoan 19, Paler 16, Quiel 8, Solis 8, Calado 3, Silang 3, Suarez 2, Barrica (L), Lorenzo (L)
UST (2) – Umandal 29, Requinton 16, Medina 13, Sumagaysay 11, Corda 8, Tajanlangit 6, Mendiolla (L), Sawal (L)
