The FEU Tamaraws continued to strengthen their hold on the top spot after a hard-fought 25-21, 21-25, 25-22, 25-21 victory over the La Salle Green Spikers in the UAAP Season 88 Men’s Volleyball Tournament at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
After dropping the second set, the Tamaraws leaned on the heroics of Mikko Espartero, Dryx Saavedra, and Amet Bituin to break a 12-all deadlock and build a 19-15 lead. They maintained control to take the set.
FEU Closes Out La Salle in Style
In the fourth set, La Salle held a slim 19-18 lead before the Tamaraws unleashed a decisive 7-2 run, capped by back-to-back blocks from Charles Absin to seal the win.
“’Yung team standing, hindi naman ’yan ang goal talaga. Siguro bawat game na mangyayari, doon magma-matter ’yung gusto naming mangyari,” said FEU head coach Eddieson Orcullo.
“Kung titingnan niyo ’yung standings, mas importante sa amin ’yung bawat araw na papalapit doon sa goal na gusto namin. ’Yon ang pinakafo-focusan namin.”
Contributions from All Around
Espartero led the Tamaraws with 14 points and 12 excellent receptions, while Saavedra added 12 points. Bituin chipped in 13 points and 11 excellent receptions.
Team captain Ariel Cacao orchestrated the offense with 25 excellent sets, while libero Vennie Ceballos recorded 18 excellent receptions and 10 excellent digs.
For La Salle, Yoyong Mendoza led the team with 18 points on 17 attacks, while Eugene Gloria had 13 points and 12 excellent receptions. Iman Hernandez added 12 points and 18 excellent receptions, while Issa Ousseini finished with 10 points.
The Tamaraws will next face the UP Fighting Maroons on Sunday, April 12, at 3:00 p.m. at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion. Meanwhile, the Green Spikers will take on the Ateneo Blue Eagles on Saturday, April 11, at 9:00 a.m. at the Filoil Centre.
