Relying heavily on their unpredictable offense, FEU earned its first win of the season after inching past the UE Warriors, 25-22, 23-25, 25-13, 16-25, 25-12 at the San Juan Arena.
With FEU jimmying up multiple uncharacteristic errors, the UE Warriors were able to mount a steady offensive assault led by rookie wunderkind, Edward Campusano who topscored the match with his 26 points. It was FEU’s devastating combination plays that overwhelmed UE’s blocking and floor defense. Eight of FEU’s players scored five points or more with four of them scoring in double-digits.
Errors from both sides marred the first two sets of the match which the teams split. FEU subbed in benched hitters Clifford Miranda and Franco Camcam, who came up huge for the rowdy Tams as they had 11 and 10 points respectively.
The Tams then found their groove in the following sets with FEU bombarding the Warriors with multiple spikes from all sides in the third set and UE feeding their rookie scoring machine continually in the fourth chapter.
FEU wrestled the momentum away from the Warriors in the deciding set and never looked back as their veterans led them to an easy set win.
High-flying Greg Dolor led all Tamaraws in scoring with his 13 points, with 8 coming off spikes, 3 from blocks and 2 from aces. UE’s Campusano’s 26 points came off 52 spike attempts. Campusano received help from team captain Ace Mandani who contributed 12 points but he unfortunately injured his ankle in the final play of the match. UE’s starting Libero, Carlo Almario also left the game in the second set after suffering an undisclosed injury.
The scores:
FEU- Dolor 13, Miranda 11, Camcam 10, Cayaban 10, Paler 7, Refugia 6, Gacutan 6, Barrica 5, Marmieto (L) 0
UE- Campusano 26, Mandani 12, Molina 5, Christian 5, Adviento 3, Magdaong 3, Alba 2, Saguin 1, Pron (L) 0, Alamario (L) 0
