By Angel Joyce C. Basa

Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws Head Coach Eddieson Orcullo acknowledged the team's lapses and called the need for mental toughness after a straight-set defeat against the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Golden Spikers, 23-25, 19-25, 26-28, in the semifinals round of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 86 men's volleyball tourney earlier today, May 5, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

“Make or break lang talaga today, ‘yung lapses namin kailangan mapunan lang namin bukas, Tuesday, tapos Wednesday nobody’s game. Siguro ano lang, baka kailangan lagi lang mainit bago maglaro at saka ‘yung during. Medyo kailangang mag-focus kami sa lahat ng–’yung mental toughness na kailangan dapat mahawakan namin sa Wednesday (Today was just a make or break, we just have to make up for our lapses tomorrow, Tuesday, and Wednesday is nobody’s game. I guess we just have to be warmed up before and during the game. We have to focus on the mental toughness that we need to have on Wednesday),” he said.

The green-and-gold team had a hard time getting ahead in the first set after back-to-back attacks by UST.

In the second set, the Morayta-based squad committed 10 errors, costing them a chance at extending the match.

FEU was able to lead by a few points before approaching the extended third set with a back and forth game with the Golden Spiker.

Despite the loss, Tamaraw Dryx Saavedra executed a 14-point performance out of 13 attacks, a block, and four excellent digs.

During a post-game conference, he thanked the Tamaraw community for their support and encouragement to bounce back.

“Still, thankful talaga kami sa kanila kasi ramdam na ramdam ng team, ramdam ko ‘yung all-out na suporta nila. And pipilitin namin na hindi sila mabigo [sa] next game (Still, we’re very thankful for the support of the community because we really felt their all out support. We will not disappoint them in our next game),” Saavedra stated.

The Morayta-based squad will play a do-or-die match against the Golden Spikers on Wednesday, May 8, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City.

(Photo by Andie Quiogue/FEU Advocate)