FEU-DN Steel head coach Eddieson Orcullo will stick to the same blueprint for the second consecutive year.
In 2024, the Tamaraws dominated the V-League Collegiate Challenge, earning a spot in the Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference, where they finished fourth.
This year, FEU successfully defended its V-League title, securing another participation in the country’s premier men’s volleyball league, organized by Sports Vision and supported by Alpha Insurance, Premiere EMS, Buffalo’s Wings N’ Things, and Arena Plus.
Although the Tamaraws fell short of reaching the semifinals this time, the team gained invaluable experience competing against the league’s stacked lineup.
“Maganda ito kasi ‘yung sitwasyon ngayon, sa V-League at Spikers’ Turf diyan talaga ibabase ‘yung kung sino papasok sa 16 na lineup sa UAAP. Eh ang dami naming player, kaya maganda ‘yung exposure na ito sa amin,” said Orcullo on Friday after FEU notched their second win against VNS at the Paco Arena.
“Maraming salamat sa management ng V-League at Spikers’ Turf nagkakaroon kami ng magandang healthy competition sa bawat players namin,” he added.
(C) Spikers Turf Images
Orcullo rotated his players throughout the campaign, drawing standout performances from Christian Paul Salboro, Luis Miguel, Amet Bituin, and Charles Absin, alongside regular contributors Dryx Saavedra, Lirick Mendoza, and Mikko Espartero.
A major positive for Orcullo was how his team competed against the league’s top squads, Cignal and Criss Cross.
FEU lost in straight sets to the Super Spikers, but all were close, 24-26, 20-25, 22-25. They also pushed the King Crunchers to the limit in a five-set thriller, 25-22, 21-25, 16-25, 25-21, 15-17.
“Siguro ang pinakamagandang nangyari sa amin ay ‘yung laro namin sa Criss Cross, yan ang magandang enlightenment sa amin. Dapat panghawakan namin ‘yun,” he said.
“‘Yung laro sa Cignal din, actually, hindi naman sa nagtataas ng sariling bangko pero kayang manalo sana kung pipilitin,” he added.
“Dapat hindi namin makalimutan ‘yung pain na nakuha namin para kahit papaano ‘yun ang baon baon namin para ma-motivate kami everyday sa UAAP.”
FEU-DN Steel will aim to close its campaign with another win when it faces UST-Gameville on Sunday.
Games are aired live on One Sports and One Sports+, as well as through the Pilipinas Live app, which offers video-on-demand options. Matches will also be streamed via spikersturf.ph.
