Starting UAAP Season 87 men’s volleyball tournament with five straight wins, Far Eastern University has made one thing clear: gold is the goal.
At 5-0, the Tamaraws are off to their best start since Season 81 (2019), when they completed a first-round sweep.
Their impressive first-round campaign includes a dominant straight-set victory over four-time defending champion National University and a four-set win against last season’s silver medalist, University of Santo Tomas. With these statement victories, FEU has its sights set on the biggest prize.
“Kagaya ng nasa tagline po namin, gold is the goal,” said Tamaraws captain Jelord Talisayan after their most recent triumph—a 25-16, 25-23, 25-19 win over University of the East on Wednesday.
The Tamaraws have carried lessons from past heartbreaks, including last season when they finished as the top-ranked team after the elimination round, only to fall to UST despite holding a twice-to-beat advantage. FEU’s last championship came in Season 74, and this year, they are determined to end the drought.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“Yung consistency kasi—lahat kami, from first year to fourth year, nagtatrabaho kami. Wala kaming tigil sa pagwo-work ng kaya namin gawin. Saka hindi pa po tapos ang UAAP, sobrang haba pa po ng season, so hindi pa kami satisfied sa kung ano mang nagagawa namin ngayon,” Talisayan emphasized.
“More on improvements pa. Meron at meron pa kaming i-improve.”
Talisayan also highlighted the team’s goal of allowing every Tamaraw to have their own shining moments, and their balanced scoring against the Red Warriors was proof of that.
All but one position player contributed to the scoreboard against UE, with Mikko Espartero and Lirick Mendoza leading the charge with eight points apiece. Talisayan, Dryx Saavedra, and Doula Ndongala each chipped in seven.
“Siguro yung discipline, malaking bagay din sa amin as an athlete kasi aside from being an athlete, student din po kami. Ang maganda lang sa amin, nagtutulungan kami sa lahat ng bagay, regardless kung sa acads man yan o sa sports,” Talisayan shared.
“Wala kami nung tinatawag na crab mentality. Lahat kami aangat—galing sa pinakababa hanggang sa pinakataas.”
Mendoza, a sophomore middle blocker, also pointed out how FEU’s bond has grown stronger over the past year, making them more resilient even in the face of adversity—such as when several players fell ill last week.
“Yung chemistry at brotherhood namin (ang nag-iba). Last season, meron naman kaming brotherhood, pero mas nadagdagan pa dahil sa mga first year, dahil sa ginagawa namin sa dorm,” he said.
