Building off the momentum from their win over the Ateneo Blue Eagles last Saturday, the Far Eastern University Tamaraws clinched a Final Four spot after sweeping the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, 25-22, 25-20, 25-21, at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
The Tamaraws improved their record to 8-2, good for a spot on the Final Four and tying them with the defending champions Ateneo Blue Eagles.
“Masarap sa feeling, pero hindi namin iniisip lang na makapasok sa Final Four,” said FEU head coach Rey Diaz about the feat. “Ang tinatrabahao talaga namin is, hopefully, makakuha kami ng twice-to-beat advantage. Para makamit namin ‘yun, kailangan focused lang kami.”
The Tamaraws displayed their dominance at the net and on serve receive, their two major strengths this season. FEU double UP blocks, 12-6, while finishing with a 45-33 spiking advantage.
“Talagang pinaghandaan namin ang UP. Lahat naman ng team dito sa UAAP talagang malakas at determinado kaya same lang ang dedikasiyon sa preparation namin sa kanilang lahat,” Diaz added.
Wingers Jude Garcia and Redijohn Paler topped the Tamaraws with 13 pointd apiece while middle blocker JP Bugaoan added 11 markers which includes a game-high five blocks.
The Tamaraws next face the hapless UE Red Warriors (0-10) on Saturday at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
Graduating open hitter Wendel Miguel led the Maroons with 13 points. Mark Millete and JM Castillo added eight points apiece.
The Fighting Maroons plummeted to a 3-7 card, putting them two games behind the Adamson Soaring Falcons for the coveted fourth seed. UP tries to bounce back against the Ateneo Blue Eagles also on Saturday.
The Scores
FEU (3) – Garcia 13, Paler 13, Bugaoan 11, Solis 9, Quiel 4, Salabsab 2, Silang 2, Hadlocon 1, Suarez 1, Bautista 0, Detalban 0, Barrica (L), Marmeto (L)
UP (0) – Miguel 13, Castillo 8, Millete 8, Consuelo 6, Gohoc 4, Baldelovar 2, San Pascual 2, Acuna 1, Mardigalejos 0, San Pedro 0, Nasol (L)
