The FEU Tamaraws once again found themselves on the brink—but this time, they broke through, booking a return trip to the Finals of the UAAP Season 88 Men’s Volleyball Tournament after outlasting the Ateneo Blue Eagles 25-23, 20-25, 16-25, 25-17, 15-12.
While facing a late fifth-set scare, FEU leaned on Amet Bituin, who delivered the final blows to cap a composed finish and send the Tamaraws back to the championship stage.
With Ateneo closing in at 12-11 in the decider, Bituin halted the run with a crucial crosscourt hit before taking over down the stretch, scoring the match’s final points to secure the victory.
“Kanina ‘yung naging usapan namin ni Kuya Ariel (Cacao). Thankful din ako kasi nagtiwala siya sa akin. Sa mga teammates ko, nagtiwala sa akin. Si Vennie (Ceballos) ‘yung coverage, ‘yung bawat isa,” Bituin said.
“Sobrang thankful ako kasi nung hiningi ko kay Kuya Cao na ‘Ya, bato mo dito, gagawan at gagawan ko ng paraan.’ Thank you sa mga teammates ko kasi sila ‘yung nag-boost sa akin para magawa ko ‘yung mga ganong bagay,” he added.
Amet Bituin Sends FEU to Finals
In that win over Ateneo, Amet Bituin finished with 12 points, including the last three that proved decisive, along with 10 receptions and 5 digs.
Dryx Saavedra paced the Tamaraws with 14 points, while Lirick Mendoza and Mikko Espartero added 13 and 11, respectively.
Team captain Ariel Cacao orchestrated the offense with 26 excellent sets, while Vennie Ceballos anchored the floor defense with 21 excellent receptions and 14 excellent digs.
For Bituin, the moment was as much mental as it was physical.
“Kanina nasa isip ko lang nung last part na nung game, habang naglalaro, nagpi-pray ako sa utak ko na, ‘Lord, bigyan Niyo pa po ako ng kaunting lakas para ma-push pa po itong laro na ito, para ma-overcome ko itong laro na ito, para makuha namin ang laro na ito,’” he shared.
Amet Bituin and the rest of the Tamaraws will now face the defending champions and six-peat-seeking NU Bulldogs in a best-of-three Finals.
