In an error-filled contest, the Far Eastern University Tamaraws survived and kept their season alive, slamming the National University Bulldogs in a heated 22-25, 26-24, 28-26, 25-17 victory at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
After missing the Final Four last year, the Tamaraws are within a game of making their first Finals appearance since Season 75.
FEU head coach Rey Diaz was emotional during the post-game presscon, lauding the personal sacrifices of his players especially during the holiday seasons.
“Napaka-swerte namin kasi ang mga player ko ay may mga magulang na mababait. Ginawa namin ito para sa kanila, maraming salamat sa mga magulang ng mga players natin dahil pinagkatiwala nila ang mga anak nila sa FEU,” Diaz said.
“Gusto ko may mapatunayan yung mga bata, na yung hindi nila pag-uwi, ito na sinusuklian na ng mga anak para sa mga magulang nila, mga girlfriend nila at mga mahal nila sa buhay. Malaking sacrifice na imbis na nagbabakasyon sila.”
After dropping the first set, the Tamaraws rallied to erase an 11-7 lead in the second set to force a 19-all tie. NU seemed to regain control after retaking a 21-19 lead, but their own errors pushed FEU ahead 24-22. Bryan Bagunas and Fauzi Ismail found their marks in the following points and locked the set in a deuce. Another NU error and a Redijohn Paler service ace, however, gave FEU the set.
The Tamaraws then cruised to a 21-15 lead in the third set. A collapse in their service reception, however, stymied FEU and allowed the Bulldogs to settle into another deuce. Errors and long rallies dotted the deuce, but NU’s reception eventually gave out, setting up Jude Garcia’s set-winning smash.
The fourth set was all FEU, as the deflated Bulldogs ran out of offensive juice.
“Kahit kasi dejado kami sa height, sabi namin sa players na daanin na lang namin sa smart volleyball at tandaan lang nila ‘yung basics,” added Diaz.
Sophomore Garcia tallied a game-high 16 points, while graduating middle hitter Greg Dolor added 14. Setter Ronchette Villegas earned Player of the Game honors with 44 excellent sets.
The do-or-die tiff will be on Wednesday. If there will be a women’s match, FEU and NU will play at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. If there is no women’s match, FEU and NU face off at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
Bryan Bagunas led NU with 13 points, while Madz Gampong hopped off the bench and provided 10 markers.
The Scores
FEU (3) – Garcia 16, Solis 15, Dolor 14, Paler 10, Bugaoan 5, Villegas 3, Bautista 0, Quiel 0, Silang 0, Suarez 0, Marmeto (L)
NU (1) – Bagunas 13, Gampong 10, Natividad 10, Saura 7, Ismail 6, Malabunga 6, Dayandante 1, Ancheta 0, Marcos (L)
