The Far Eastern University Tamaraws are bent on making the most out of their return to the UAAP Final Four.
The spikers off Morayta made quick work of their Manila neighbors, sweeping the University of Santo Tomas Tiger Spikers, 25-22, 27-25, 25-18, in their do-or-die face-off on Wednesday afternoon at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
The Tamaraws took the first set with a 6-0 run that gave them a 20-14 lead. The second set was a closer affair, with neither teams wrestling the lead away. FEU’s Jude Garcia and Greg Dolor made clutch plays in an extended deuce, allowing FEU to take a commanding 2-0 lead.
“Malaking bagay na nakalagpas kami sa second set kasi nakakuha kami nang malaking kumpiyansa doon,” said FEU head coach Rey Diaz. “‘Yung third set nakita mo talaga sa mga players namin na hindi na nila papakawalan ‘yung laro.”
The third set turned into a prolonged victory lap, with UST playing deflated and surrendering an insurmountable lead to FEU.
“Kahit gusto mo mag-celebrate, hindi pa tapos. Lalaban pa kami sa NU para maabot ‘yung goal namin na Finals,” Diaz added.
Graduating middle blocker Greg Dolor tallied a game-high 13 points, while sophomore Jude Garcia added 12. The Tamaraws take on the twice-to-beat Bulldogs on Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
UST, who gave up 28 errors, had just skipper Arnold Bautista go for double-digits with 12 points.
The Tigers have dropped all three matches to FEU this season. None of their players are graduating.
The Scores
FEU (3) – Dolor 13, Garcia 12, Bugaoan 8, Solis 6, Quiel 3, Villegas 3, Bautista 1, Paler 1, Marmeto (L)
UST (0) – Bautista 12, Medina 9, Sumagaysay 6, Icalina 5, Carodan 4, Tajanlangit 3, Buro 1, Francisco (L)
