The FEU Tamaraws sent an early message in the UAAP Season 88 men’s volleyball tournament, stunning five-time defending champions NU Bulldogs, 22-25, 25-21, 25-17, 25-20.
For Lirick Mendoza, the victory was more than just another elimination-round win. It was personal.
Still reeling from last season’s heartbreak, where FEU won Game 1 of the Season 87 Finals before dropping the next two matches to surrender the championship, Mendoza admitted that the pain fueled the Tamaraws’ preparation.
“Talagang pinaghandaan namin itong game na ito kasi last year, mas masakit pa ‘yun sa nangyari nung Season 86 sa UST. Kaya grabe ‘yung willingness sa buong team na kailangan maipanalo namin ito,” Mendoza said.
Battle-Scarred FEU Looking for Breakthrough
The Tamaraws’ scars run deeper than just one finals collapse. In Season 86, FEU topped the elimination round but squandered its twice-to-beat advantage in the semifinals against the University of Santo Tomas Golden Spikers.
Against NU this time, FEU showed composure instead of panic.
Mendoza led the way with 17 points built on 13 attacks, 3 blocks, and 1 ace. Amet Bituin, Dryx Saavedra, and Doula Ndonga also provided double-digit support in a balanced team effort that overwhelmed the Bulldogs after the opening set.
Long Way to Go for Redemption
Despite the emotional weight of the win, head coach Eddieson Orcullo quickly reminded his players that redemption in February does not guarantee anything in May.
“Makikita naman sa body language ng bawat isa, siyempre, gusto naming makuha ulit, makabawi kami doon sa last season na nangyari. Over emotions, dapat utak muna ‘yung paganahin namin kasi kapag nauuna ‘yung emotion, medyo mahirap din sa amin kaya para maiwasan ‘yung gigil, kailangan before, during, saka after the match we clear our minds,” Orcullo said.
The message was clear. The win may have been a statement, but the season is far from decided.
FEU will look to stay unbeaten when it faces the Adamson University Soaring Falcons on Sunday, March 1, at 11:00 a.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
