Far Eastern University’s road to redemption began long before the start of the UAAP Season 87 Men’s Volleyball Tournament.
After a heartbreaking exit in last year’s Final Four at the hands of the fourth-seeded UST Golden Spikers, the Tamaraws wasted no time reclaiming their place in the men’s volleyball scene.
They captured the 2024 V-League Collegiate Challenge title and secured a fourth-place finish in the Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference — proof that they felt determined to bounce back stronger.
Armed with valuable lessons from a productive off-season, FEU’s redemption tour in Season 87 is off to a scorching start.
The team opened with back-to-back wins over title contender University of Santo Tomas and University of the Philippines.
For reigning Best Opposite Spiker Dryx Saavedra, the biggest difference between last season’s squad and this reenergized Tamaraws team is the sense of enjoyment and camaraderie they have built both on and off the court.
(C) Spikers Turf Images
“Nung off-season kasi, lahat ng pinagdaanan namin sa leagues na sinalihan namin, nagiging motivation ng lahat. Doon kami sa part na natututo kami, lalo na doon sa Spikers’ Turf na mga kuya namin nakakalaban namin,” said the Spikers’ Turf’s Best Opposite Spiker Saavedra.
He went on, “Yung maturity namin na natutunan namin sa mga kuya namin, na-aapply and nag-eenjoy sa laro, hindi ‘yon mawawala.”
Saavedra finished with 13 points built on 12 attacks and a block in FEU’s dominant 25-21, 25-16, 25-18 sweep of the Fighting Maroons on Wednesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
“Talagang yung preparation namin for next game namin talagang tuloy-tuloy. Naiba na rin ngayon kasi sobrang nag-eenjoy yung lahat sa laro so napapakita yung best sa loob.”
Meanwhile, emerging star setter Benny Martinez acknowledged the pressure and rising expectations that come with FEU’s recent success.
Echoing Saavedra’s sentiments, the homegrown playmaker believes the Tamaraws are more than ready to rewrite their story and end their 17-year UAAP championship drought.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“Yung off-season, marami talaga kami natutunan doon. Yung mga natutunan doon ng team namin, dinadala namin sa ngayong UAAP. Kaya malaki yung expectation namin na malayo mararating namin ngayong season,” said Martinez, who tallied seven excellent sets and three points in FEU’s sweep of UP.
“Maganda yung ginagawa namin kasi lahat nagco-contribute and nagtiwala kami sa sistema ng coaches at tsaka, kahit sino yung kalaban, hindi kami nagre-relax.”
With expectations for FEU’s Season 87 campaign growing by the minute, head coach Eddieson Orcullo faces the crucial challenge of keeping the Tamaraws grounded — especially with a highly anticipated showdown against four-time defending champion National University on Sunday, February 23, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
“Hindi naman kami tumitigil sa ginagawa namin kaya ‘yon din siguro motivation nila. Pagpasok sa loob ng court, yung init ng bawat isa, kailangan maipakita nila yung everyday na binibigay nila sa ensayo namin,” Orcullo said.
“Kailangan lang tibayan namin yung bawat isa. Yung motivation namin, kailangan hindi masira. Yung preparation namin para sa game on Sunday, kailangan medyo trabahuhin pa at hindi makuntento sa meron ngayon.”
