FEU-DN Steel was once again on the brink of a massive collapse on Sunday night, as Savouge continually fought back and threatened to steal the victory.
Just a week after their come-from-behind win against VNS, the Ultras found themselves in troubled waters once more.
They botched a 2-0 lead and allowed the hard-fighting Spin Doctors to push the game to a deciding fifth set.
Savouge was building momentum toward completing a stunning comeback – until FEU head coach Eddieson Orcullo called rookie Luis Miguel from the bench, subbing him in for the misfiring Jelord Talisayan.
“Mindset ko is bigay ko ‘yung one hundred percent ko kasi patapos naman na, wala nang susunod. Kaya binigay ko na lahat yung one hundred percent ko,” said the first-year winger, whose first appearance in the match came in the fourth set.
With the Ultras down 6-8 in the fifth, Miguel announced his entry with authority and went over the Spin Doctors’ blockers for an easy kill.
Doula Ndongala followed with block on Louis Gamban that knotted the scores at 8-all.
(C) Spikers Turf Images
The 19-year-old opposite spiker anchored FEU’s offense as the two teams traded hit after hit, with Savouge eventually reaching match point after Deanne De Pedro’s cross-court attack put them up 14-13.
Mikko Espartero, another rookie for the Ultras, forced a deuce with an off-the-block hit.
Then Miguel took over and delivered back-to-back attacks that kept FEU perfect with a pristine 6-0 standing.
Miguel finished with five points, all in the fifth set, to help the Ultras solidify their position at the top of the standings in the Invitational Conference powered by ArenaPlus, Mikasa, and Alpha Insurance & Surety Company.
The promising spiker shared that he simply wanted to repay the coaching staff’s trust in him.
“Pag pinapasok kasi ako ni coach, binibigyan nila ako ng malaking tiwala kaya hindi ko sisirain ‘yun. ‘Yung ka-team ko na pinalitan ko, sinasabi rin nila sakin na ibawi ko sila, sabi ko sige ibabawi ko sila,” said Miguel.
It’s not the first time that Miguel stepped up in a crucial situation for FEU, as he also played a pivotal role in the team’s reverse sweep of the Griffins last week.
The product of FEU Diliman once again earned praise from Orcullo for stepping up when it mattered most.
“Yung bawat isa kasi, hindi lucky bunot ang tawag namin. Talagang kailangan mag-step up kapag ka ‘yung kapatid nila ay down. Si Jelord [Talisayan], hindi naman down, pero nag-error kaya pinalitan. Then may nag-step up,” said the former Sta. Lucia head coach.
