The Far Eastern University Tamaraws stayed atop the UAAP Season 80 Men’s Volleyball standings after overwhelming the De La Salle University Green Spikers, 25-22, 15-25, 30-28, 25-22, at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
The Tamaraws remained the only undefeated team in the tournament at 3-0.
According to FEU head coach Rey Diaz, the Tamaraws have been responding well to the specific challenges their respective foes have presented so far.
“Alam namin na lahat ng teams talaga sa UAAP ay malakas this season. Tulad ng La Salle kanina, hindi ka pwedeng basta na lang mag-relax bigla,” said Diaz.
“Happy naman kami ng coaches sa pinapakita ng mga bata. Kanina nakapag-adjust sila tapos nakasunod sa gameplan namin. Maganda rin kasi ang nilaro namin noong gipit ‘yung score,” the young tactician furthered.
Aside from a 10-point loss in the second set — their worst of the season — FEU gutted out all their set wins through consistent passing and blocking. The Tamaraws were deadliest at the net, as seen in their 13-block total, which La Salle matched with just five.
Explosive middle blocker JP Bugaoan led the Tamaraws with 19 points off 14 attacks, three blocks, and two aces. Team captain Richard Solis added 14 markers.
La Salle had their open hitters Arjay Onia and Raymark Woo go off with 22 and 20 points, respectively.
FEU’s next assignment comes on Saturday against the struggling University of the Philippines Maroons (1-2) at the FilOil Flying V Centre. La Salle (1-2) face last season’s runners-up National University Bulldogs (2-1) on Sunday, also at the Arena in San Juan.
The Scores
FEU (3) – Bugaoan 19, Solis 14, Garcia 11, Quiel 11, Detalbal 7, Bautista 5, Suarez 1, Dablo 0, Detalban 0, Salabsab 0, Silang 0, Marmeto (L)
DLSU (1) – Onia 22, Woo 20, Dumago 14, Reyes 9, Delos Reyes 7, Marco 2, Asia 0, Dimayuga 0, Frey 0, Movido (L)