By Ohmer R. Bautista

The Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws flaunted their depth and tight-knit chemistry as they unloaded a balanced attack to subdue their España-based rivals, University of Santo Tomas (UST) Golden Spikers, 17-25, 25-23, 20-25, 25-19, 15-13, and remained atop the rankings of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) season 81 men’s volleyball tournament, March 2, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City.

All but two Tamaraw scorers logged in a point for FEU, as Jude Garcia led the way with 23 points, spiked by four blocks, and 20 excellent receptions. John Paul Bugaoan and John Paler chipped 15 and 14 markers, respectively, for the Tams, who are now sporting an unblemished 4-0 win-loss card.

“Thank you so much sa mga players kasi hindi bumitaw. Talagang ‘yung contribution ng bawat isa, pinakita. Sabi ko nga lagi sa kanila, hindi ka magtatrabaho mag-isa sa volleyball. Volleyball is a team [sport] kaya nga nagpa-practice kami as a team (Thank you so much to my players for not giving up. Each of one them showed up and contributed in the game. Like what I keep on telling them, you are not alone in volleyball. Volleyball is a team sport which is why we are practicing as a team),” FEU head coach Rey Diaz added.

The Tamaraws trailed in the majority of the game after dropping the first and third sets to UST. But after series of adjustments by FEU’s coaching staff, coupled with the determination of the green-and-gold spikers, the Morayta-based squad stormed in the fourth set to forge a decider.

“Ang talagang nangyari, trinabaho talaga ng UST. Check talaga nila kami. Medyo na-rattle lang kami kasi ayun ‘yung medyo mahirap talaga, ‘yung maka-recover ka tapos kapag na-check ka kasi, ‘yung attitude ng isang player, talagang bababa eh. Na-check talaga kami pero good kasi ang galing ng coaches, ang galing ng players, lahat may suggestions, lahat may contribution, tulong-tulong (What happened was UST really outworked us. They got us checked. We were slightly rattled which made things tougher for us since recovering in the game while being checked tends to make a player’s attitude plummet. We were checked but it all turned out fine since coaches did a great job, as well as the players. Everyone had suggestions, everyone had a contribution, it was a collective effort),” Diaz said.

It was in the fifth set that FEU completely turned the tables to their favor as they raced to a slim 9-6 cushion, which culminated to an advantage at 14-13 and sealed by a quick-witted one-two play by Kris Silang.

The Tamaraws look to continue their hot streak as they take on the University of the East (UE) on March 6 at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.

(See full album: UAAP 81 Men's Volleyball - FEU vs UST)