With all eyes on the looming Final Four, the Far Eastern University (FEU) emerged victorious over the De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Spikers, 21-25, 25-17, 25-19, 25-22, finishing at the top spot  in their final elimination game of the University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 87 men’s volleyball tournament earlier today, April 26, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

Coming off an almost two-week break, the error-ridden Tamaraws found themselves readjusting on the go evident in a 21-25 first-set loss.  

Starting to find their groove in the second frame, the green-and-gold squad was able to sustain an eight-point lead, 25-17.

It was full throttle for the Eddieson Orcullo-led team from this point forward, with pressure inevitably setting for DLSU despite Rui Ventura’s efforts to keep the Green Spikers’ game afloat, eventually leading to FEU’s third-set win, 25-19.

Late game heroics were unleashed by the Tamaraws, facing their closest gap of two points against the Taft-based squad at the fourth frame, 24-22.

Sure enough, the Morayta squad denied La Salle the chance to overtake, sealing the match at 25-22.

In the post-game conference, top scorer Dryx Saavedra expressed his enthusiasm toward the upcoming Final Four games.

“Siguro masasabi ko [na] ready [na] talaga [kami]... Parang bago sa akin na gusto ko palaging may game, siguro ayun din 'yung nag-push sa akin kanina na gawin 'yung best ko kasi na-miss ko rin maglaro. Nakita ko rin na lahat gusto mag-contribute (I can say that we are ready… It felt new to me to crave for a new match, I think it's one of the driving factors that pushed me earlier, and also my teammates were eager to contribute to the match),” Saavedra said.

Mikko Espartero then shared the same sentiment, saying how team chemistry inside the court will carry them through.

“One hundred percent ready na po kami talaga, kasi nagsisimula talaga 'yun sa loob ng court. Ako kasi, inulit-ulit ko na i-enjoy lang and i-improve lang 'yung encouragement sa isa't-isa, 'yung samahan namin, at 'yung communication sa loob ng court (We are one hundred percent ready, because it all starts inside the court. Personally, I always try to spontaneously enjoy and to improve encouragement toward each other, our camaraderie, and our communication),” Espartero shared.

Saavedra led the scoreboard with an impressive 25 points, while Ariel Cacao tallied 29 excellent sets. Rookies Espartero and Amet Bituin followed with 15 and 11 points, respectively.

Now entering the Final Four as the top seed and with a twice-to-beat advantage, the Tamaraws seek to extend their hot performance and snag themselves a championship title. The two teams are set to have a rematch in the playoffs, with the date and venue to be announced.
- Joshua Kyle Beltran
(Photo by Karch Rafael/FEU Advocate)