Top-ranked Far Eastern University shook off a slow start to overpower De La Salle University, 21-25, 25-17, 25-19, 25-22, and enter the UAAP Season 87 Men’s Volleyball Final Four with fourth straight wins, Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Tamaraws improved to 13-1, solidifying their No. 1 ranking and setting up a semifinals clash with the same team they defeated. With the Green Spikers falling to 9-5, this match also served as a preview of the upcoming 1 vs. 4 Final Four match-up.
In the other semifinals pairing, National University will take on University of Santo Tomas. Both NU and FEU hold a twice-to-beat advantage, rendering their respective final elimination round matches as no-bearing in terms of standings.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“Yung game na ito, nagpapasalamat ako sa players and coaches ko. Yung nangyari lang from day one until today, last day ng elimination round, masasabi kong deserved ng mga bata kung nasaan kami ngayon kasi uhaw talaga ‘yung mga bata,” said FEU head coach Eddieson Orcullo.
However, Orcullo was quick to remind his team that the real battle is still ahead: “13-1 doesn’t count. 0-0 na ulit.”
Charles Absin and Dryx Saavedra powered the Tamaraws in the fourth set, helping them build a 20-14 cushion before reaching match point at 24-19.
La Salle refused to go down quietly. Mikko Espartero’s service error was followed by a solid block from Eco Adajar, then an unforced error from FEU as Lirick Mendoza’s attack went wide. But Amet Bituin finally sealed the deal with a kill that deflected off Paolo Layug’s arms, ending the match after one hour and 50 minutes.
“Masasabi kong ready na talaga kami kasi yun nga sa akin personally, napag-usapan namin kagabi na ang haba nung Holy Week rest namin so excited ako kasi parang bago ulit sa akin. Gusto ko palaging may game, kaya yun yung nag-push sa akin kanina na gawin yung best ko kasi na-miss ko maglaro,” said Saavedra, who tallied a game-high 25 points built on 20 spikes, three blocks, and two aces.
FEU also won their first-round encounter against La Salle, 22-25, 25-21, 25-22, 25-19.
Espartero backed Saavedra with 15 points and 18 receptions, while Bituin chipped in 11 points. Absin provided a spark off the bench with eight points, and Ariel Cacao orchestrated the offense with 29 excellent sets.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Noel Kampton led La Salle with 16 points and 16 receptions, while Rui Ventura contributed 15 points and seven digs.
Chris Hernandez also had a solid outing with seven points and 16 excellent receptions.
