Far Eastern University stayed pristine after surviving University of Santo Tomas in five sets, 28-26, 21-25, 21-25, 25-21, 15-12, in the UAAP Season 86 Men’s Volleyball Tournament at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, Sunday.
Through Josh Ybañez and Rainier Flor, the Golden Spikers were able to tie the game in the fifth set, 11-11, but the Tamaraws found the answers in Andrei Delicana and Dryx Saavedra complemented by two huge UST errors to escape with the win.
Now alone atop the standings with a 4-0 record, the victory will serve as a good springboard for FEU heading into this Wednesday’s matchup with the defending champion National University.
“Pinagtrabahuhan talaga ng bawat isa sa amin. Ang sinasabi ko nga kanina pa sweetness after difficulties,” said Tamaraws head coach Eddieson Orcullo.
UST was able to overtake FEU after taking the second and third frames, thanks to the joint forces of Ybañez and Jay Rack Dela Noche but the Tamaraws countered in the fourth to extend the match.
“Lahat ng lumabas sa game kanina, pinagpapasalamat ko yun sa mga teammate ko kasi lahat nagtrabaho, lahat gustong manalo,“ said Ariel Cacao, who tossed 22 excellent sets while also scoring four points on two blocks and two aces.
Rookie Andrei Delicana and Jayjay Javelona led the FEU barrage with 18 points apiece with the latter also tallying 16 excellent receptions.
Martin Bugaoan punched in 16 points as well on 13 attacks and three blocks, while Dryx Saavedra had 13 points too in the win in two hours and 30 minutes.
Ybanez, the reigning MVP, saw his season-high 30 points wasted. He also had 19 excellent receptions and four digs.
Dela Noche chimed in 17 points, Flor got 13, Gboy De Vega had 13, while Popoy Colinares added 10 in the second straight defeat of the Golden Spikers to fall to 2-2.
UST will aim to rebound against Ateneo de Manila University on Saturday at the same Pasay venue.
