PRESS RELEASE: Mikko Espartero and Lirick Mendoza led Far Eastern University to a hard-fought four-set victory over Ateneo de Manila University, 23-25, 26-24, 25-15, 25-19, to remain unbeaten in the UAAP Season 88 Men’s Volleyball Tournament on Wednesday afternoon at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.

Espartero delivered an all-around performance with 21 points on 19 attacks, 20 excellent receptions, and three excellent digs, while Mendoza added 15 points on nine attacks and six blocks. The Tamaraws overcame a first-set stumble to secure their fifth consecutive win in as many games.

The victory allowed FEU to retain first place with a perfect 5-0 record, ahead of defending champion National University (4-1), which earlier swept the University of the East, and the idle University of Santo Tomas (3-1).

For the Tamaraws, maintaining mental focus is key to sustaining their unbeaten run.

“Yung first set, talagang test of each team ‘yan doon sa power, speed, and thinking. Siguro, baka kinailangan lang namin mag-pause at bumalik ng mas buo noong second set,” FEU head coach Eddieson Orcullo said.

“Dadamihan namin yung pakikusap sa bawat isa at yung ensayo, mas lalo dapat paigtingin. Yung ginagawa namin na pag-focus, dapat huwag namin kalimutan yung why ng bawat isa at ng team namin,” he added.

A narrow second-set win fueled the Tamaraws’ dominant third set, where they raced to an early 16-8 lead before ultimately taking a 2-1 sets advantage, powered by three consecutive blocks from Espartero and Mendoza.

The momentum carried into the fourth frame, with a backrow hit by Espartero, an attack from Dryx Saavedra, and a block from Amet Bituin giving FEU a comfortable 14-7 lead. Ateneo trimmed the deficit to 15-11, but FEU quickly regained control, as a backrow hit from Espartero and two points from Saavedra—built on a block and a game-winning off-the-block hit—helped preserve their perfect record.

Saavedra finished with 12 points on 10 attacks and six excellent digs, while Absin contributed 11 points off the bench on eight attacks and three blocks. Bituin added nine points on seven attacks, along with six excellent receptions and two excellent digs.

Team captain Ariel Cacao orchestrated the offense with 30 excellent sets and three points, while Vennie Ceballos anchored the defense with 18 excellent receptions and nine excellent digs.

On the other hand, Ateneo fell to solo fifth place with a 2-3 record. Nigerian wing spiker Aimar Okeke led the Blue Eagles with 18 points, 19 excellent receptions, and three excellent digs. Jian Salarzon added 12 points on nine attacks and three blocks, complemented by 20 excellent receptions.

Rookie middle blocker Rodge Alejos contributed 12 points on nine attacks and three blocks, while Brian Castro had nine points on eight attacks and one block. Enzo Gutierrez delivered 22 excellent sets, and graduating libero Lance de Castro recorded 13 excellent receptions and six excellent digs.

FEU aims to extend its unbeaten streak against the University of the Philippines, while Ateneo seeks a bounce-back victory versus NU. Both matches are scheduled for Sunday, March 8, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
(Photo by Ma. Louela Luna/FEU Advocate)