Far Eastern University closed in on a Final Four berth after securing its fifth consecutive win at the expense of Adamson University, 25-17, 25-17, 25-22, in the UAAP Season 86 Men’s Volleyball Tournament, Tuesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The league-leading Tamaraws, who are already assured of at least a playoff for a Final Four slot, dominated the first two sets before escaping the Soaring Falcons in the third to improve their record to 9-1.
An Ateneo loss tomorrow or another victory on Saturday against University of Sto. Tomas will book FEU’s return trip to the postseason.
“Yung service receive, service reception saka yung blocking. ‘Yun ang talagang finofocus naman nang maigi. Sa part ng Adamson, nakita niyo naman hanggang sa huling set talagang nilalaban nila na makuha nila yung match today,” said Tamaraws head coach Eddieson Orcullo.
Adamson threatened to send the game to a fourth set after a successful block touch challenge brought them to within just one, 22-23, late in the third, but FEU countered with a challenge of their own, calling a centerline fault on Joel Menor’s attack in the following play which pushed them at match point.
Vincent Nadera then came up big for the Tamaraws, scoring off a combination play to seal the deal after 75 minutes of action.
“Yung game talagang pinaghahandaan namin every single match na mangyayari sa amin. Yung nangyari sa Adamson na game, talagang inaral naman nang maigi yun eh kasi yung coaching staff nila talagang sasabihin natin na ang hirap talunin ni Coach George (Pascua) eh,” said Orcullo.
Ariel Cacao led FEU’s balanced offensive attack with 17 excellent sets.
Martin Bugaoan top-scored for the Tamaraws with 11 points on nine attacks and two kill blocks while Jayjay Javelona and Andrei Delicana added nine markers apiece. Zhyrdryx Saavedra had eight points.
FEU will face off against University of Sto. Tomas on Saturday, 12:00 p.m. at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
On the other hand, the Soaring Falcons remained in the sixth spot with a 4-6 record.
No player from Adamson breached double digits in scoring with Marc Paulino leading the way with seven points to go along with 13 excellent receptions. Jude Aguilar and Menor chipped in six markers each in the loss.
The Soaring Falcons look to bounce back against University of the Philippines also on Saturday at 10:00 a.m.
