By Vince Matthew Jaramilla

Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraw Ariel Cacao emphasized that the squad still has a long way to go despite proving superior over the terminators of their last season run, the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Golden Spikers, 26-24, 25-23, 25-19, in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 87 men’s volleyball tournament earlier today, March 23, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

“Hindi pa naman natatapos—may semis pa or may finals pa, kaya hangga’t hindi pa natatapos, hindi pa rin kami dapat mapatanag na ‘yung loob, gumagaan ‘yung pakiramdam (The end is not yet here—there’s still the semis or the finals, so as long as we’re not yet done, we shouldn’t be content or complacent),” the Player of the Game said.

The setter tallied 28 excellent sets with 40.58 percent efficiency after coming off the bench to start the game.

FEU kept the match close to start the first set, 11-11, until UST’s net defense forced a 0-3 skid and a green-and-gold timeout.

Unfortunately, Josh Ybañez and the Golden Spikers kept their hold on the driver’s seat, reaching the verge of set point at 21-24.

Despite the frame seeming lost, Tamaraws Mikko Espartero and bench players Cacao and Amet Bituin ignited a 5-0 run to steal the set, 26-24.

Momentum was clearly on FEU’s side as they began the second frame, 8-4, but their errors held them back from maintaining the advantage.

With Espartero’s nine attacks leading the Morayta squad’s firepower, they managed to narrowly take another set, 25-23.

The green-and-gold squad’s mix of attacks and errors carried onto the third frame, resulting in a close 7-8 start.

Once the scoreboard read 14-14, FEU’s Cacao-led offense pulled away from UST, never letting go to finish the sweep, 25-19.

FEU head coach Eddieson Orcullo affirmed Cacao’s statement, highlighting the need for continuous hard work.

“Hindi [namin] kailangang tumigil sa gusto naming mangyari kasi tama si Ariel [Cacao], eh, hindi pa tapos ‘yung season. Hangga’t hindi natatapos, kumbaga walang magpapahinga sa trabaho (We don’t need to stop what we want to happen because Ariel is right, the season is not yet done. As long as it’s not yet done, no one should rest from work),” the lead tactician shared.

The green-and-gold setter then mentioned a lesson taught to them by one of their coaching staff to take every opponent seriously.

“Kung sino ‘yung next na kalaban namin, ‘yun ‘yung pinakamalakas na kalaban namin, kaya ayun lang ‘yung pinapaalala ko lagi (Whoever our next opponent, that’s our strongest opponent. That’s what I always remind my teammates),” Cacao stated.

Hitters Espartero and Dryx Saavedra notched double-digit scoring with 18 and 15 points, respectively. Meanwhile, rookie libero Vennie Ceballos was efficient with 12 excellent receptions and eight digs.

The 8-0 Tamaraws will look to continue their hot round two start against the University of the East on Wednesday, March 26, at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.

(Photo by Zedrich Xylak Madrid/FEU Advocate)