De La Salle University is determined to pull out all the stops to deny Far Eastern University a first-round sweep in the UAAP Season 87 men’s volleyball tournament.
The Green Spikers stand as the final hurdle for the Tamaraws, who are eyeing a perfect first-round campaign when they clash on Saturday at 11:00 AM at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
More than just spoiling FEU’s bid for a sweep, La Salle carries extra motivation heading into the showdown.
“Siguro ito yung time na gusto talaga namin bumawi. We don’t want din na magkaroon ng stepladder if ever,” said Green Spikers head coach Jose Roque on Wednesday after their win over the Ateneo Blue Eagles.
“We’ll try our best na makabawi kami ngayon. Ibibigay talaga namin ‘yung best namin, maybe better than this hopefully. I’ll push them talaga,” he added.
Recent history favors FEU, with the Tamaraws repeatedly outdueling La Salle in crucial encounters.
Before the UAAP Season 87 tournament, the two teams faced off in the best-of-three finals of the 2024 V-League Collegiate Challenge. While the Green Spikers managed to force a deciding Game Three, it was still the Tamaraws who emerged victorious and claimed the crown.
In UAAP Season 86, La Salle also suffered two painful losses to FEU in the elimination round, including a heart-wrenching five-set defeat in the second round.
(C) V-League Images
To make matters worse, despite finishing third after the eliminations, the Green Spikers ended up in fourth place after FEU claimed the bronze medal.
The Tamaraws, who topped the elimination round, failed to reach the finals after falling to the UST Golden Spikers in the Final Four but still secured third place.
“For the past two seasons na rin since I took over, hindi pa talaga kami nakakabawi. Although during V-League, naka-force kami ng Game 3 sa finals, pero still,” Roque said in his payback statement to Tiebreaker Times.
“We want to show kung ano yung capability namin. Siguro yun yung isang goal since last season kasi sila rin yung nag-rank 1 after the elims. Never kami nanalo,” added the second-year mentor.
“We really want to win that game. Whatever happens, basta ibibigay lang namin yung best namin.”
La Salle will look to fiery scorer Noel Kampton alongside Vince Maglinao, MJ Fortuna, and Rui Ventura to lead the charge. Meanwhile, FEU will rely on standout players Dryx Saavedra, Mikko Espartero, and Jelord Talisayan among others.
The Tamaraws have been dominant in their six-game unbeaten run, winning four matches in straight sets and two in four sets.
