Defending champion National University-Nazareth School dealt error-plagued Far Eastern University-Diliman its first loss with a 25-19, 19-25, 22-25, 25-22, 15-12 victory Wednesday in the UAAP Season 82 Boys’ Volleyball Tournament at the Paco Arena.
Trailing by a point in the fifth set, 9-10, the Bullpups unleashed a 6-2 finishing kick, capped by Bryan Jaleco’s block kill to score the victory.
“Sobrang pinaghandaan at sobrang pinaghirapan namin ito saka nag take advantage kami sa mga errors nila so maganda ang morale namin ngayon kasi tinalo namin yung undefeated,” coach Edgar Barroga said after NU rose to solo third spot at 6-5.
Mac Bandola delivered 13 points built on eight attacks, three service aces, and two blocks while Michael Fortuna added in 11 markers for the Bullpups.
The Baby Tamaraws, whose 10-match winning streak was snapped, committed a whopping 51 errors.
Rans Cajolo had six blocks to finish with 19 points while France Racaza and Jerold Talisayan each had 17 markers for FEU.
In the other matches, Adamson University made short work of De La Salle-Zobel, 25-16, 25-16, 25-17, while University of the East trounced University of Santo Tomas, 25-22, 25-21, 25-22.
Evander Novillo unloaded all but one of his 12 points from spikes, John Gay had nine markers while Jude Aguilar patrolled the net with five blocks to end up with eight points as the Baby Falcons finished the eliminations in fourth place with a 6-6 card.
Adamson University hopes to gain favorable results of NU and UST’s final elimination round matched to advance in the Final Four.
John Paul Mangahis and Francis Babon each registered 13 points while Giles Torres added 10 as the Junior Warriors tied the Baby Tamaraws for the league’s best ranking at 10-1.
UE and FEU, which are already assured of twice-to-beat bonus in the Final Four, will dispute the No. 1 ranking on Saturday at the same venue.
The Tiger Cubs dropped to fifth place at 5-6, half-a-game behind the Baby Falcons.
