Far Eastern University claimed the first twice-to-beat incentive in the UAAP Season 86 Men’s Volleyball Final Four, thumping University of the Philippines for its eighth straight win, 25-17, 25-22, 25-22, at the Philsports Arena in Pasig, Saturday.
The Tamaraws now hold a 12-1 record, which also assured them the top spot heading into the semifinals.
This is the first time since Season 74 (2012) that FEU clinched the pole position after the elimination round, the last time it won the championship.
“Magfofocus lang kami sa mental toughness. Yung skills, lahat ng papasokj sa top four makikita natin yung skills napakataas, ang kailangan lang maging focus ng bawat isa sa amin ay kung paano namin iha-handle sa sarili namin,” said Tamaraws head coach Eddieson Orcullo.
“Nasa number one kami, napakahirap na posisyon niyan, bukod sa pagtrabaho sa skills, magfo-focus talaga kami malaki sa mental capability namin,” he added.
FEU will cap the elims against defending champion National University on Wednesday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The Fighting Maroons battled back from a 12-19 hole in the third through Jaivee Malabanan and Louis Gamban’s efforts, inching as close as 21-23.
Jomel Codilla then hit the ball crosscourt for the FEU Match point before he committed an attack error. He, however, atoned for it with the game-winning spike off a combination play for the win in one hour and 19 minutes.
All but one of the 12 position players of the Tamaraws entered the scoring column led by Andrei Delicana’s 11 points and Dryx Saavedra’s eight.
Martin Bugaoan had seven points, while JJ Javelona, Lirick Mendoza, and Vincent Nadera all made six points.
Gamban and Daniel Nicolas led UP with 10 and nine points, respectively.
The Fighting Maroons sank to 1-12. They will battle University of the East next Saturday.
