Tamaraws stamp twice-to-beat ticket, eliminate Green Spikers

The winningest volleyball program in the country Far Eastern University Tamaraws regained a long lost milestone, clinching the first twice-to-beat incentive in the UAAP Season 80 Men’s Volleyball Final Four after eliminating the De La Salle University Green Spikers, 23-25, 25-16, 28-26, 25-20, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

FEU earned their first semis buffer since Season 75, also the last season they made the Finals. Young head coach Rey Diaz was elated his team acheived one od their offseason goals. But, he stressed the Tamaraws have no time to rest on their laurels.

“Malaking acheivement para sa amin na magtop-two nga kasi matagal na rin since nakamit namin ‘to,” said Diaz.

“Pero ang FEU kasi kilala sa pagiging champion so ‘yun talaga ang kailangan namin ma-acheive. Malayo pa kami doon, marami pa kaming kailangan paghandaan,” he furthered.

The league’s best blocker JP Bugaoan topped the Tamaraws with 15 points, five coming off block killa. Team captain Richard Solis added 13 markers to pace four Tamaraws in double-digits.

FEU will either be the first or second seed, depending on the result of the NU-Ateneo tiff.

Arjay Onia led the Green Spikers in his final UAAP match with 16 points. Former Best Scorer Raymark Woo, libero Jopet Movido, team captain Mike Frey, and Levin Dimayuga all exhausted their UAAP playing eligibility for La Salle.

La Salle finished in sixth place with a 5-9 record.

The Scores

FEU (3) – Bugaoan 15, Solis 13, Garcia 12, Paler 11, Quiel 8, Suarez 3, Dablo 2, Bautista 1, Barrica 0, Salabsab 0, Silang 0, Marmeto (L)

DLSU (1) – Onia 16, Reyes 12, Woo 11, Dumago 8, Marco 8, Delos Reyes 5, Maravilla 2, Dimayuga 1, Asia 0, Movido (L)