By Vince Matthew Jaramilla

Despite opposite hitter Dryx Saavedra's showcase of firepower, the Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws succumbed to the De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Spikers, 21-25, 19-25, 25-21, 20-25, failing to close out the 2024 V-League Men’s Collegiate Challenge finals earlier today, October 2, at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.

Saavedra put up 18 markers on 16 attacks and two blocks, becoming the primary scoring option for the Tams.

In a post-game interview with FEU Advocate, the spiker expressed dissatisfaction in their defeat despite leading his team in points.

"Sa totoo [lang], medyo hindi ako satisfied sa naging laro ko kasi alam ko sa sarili kong may mas angat pa kong laro du'n, eh… Siguro ‘yung ‘mind setting’ siguro na pilit naming kukunin ‘yung laro ngayon, medyo iba ‘yung kinalabasan (To be honest, I am not that satisfied with my play because I know I can elevate my performance there. Maybe it is the mindset to blame, wherein we keep trying to win the game but another outcome happened)," Saavedra said.

Prior to today's matchup, the green-and-gold squad took game one, defeating the green-and-white team, 25-22, 25-20, 20-25, 25-19, to be a match away from the gold.

Moving on to game two, a neck-and-neck bout between the two squads occurred until around halfway of the first set with a 11-all deadlock. However, a 5-0 DLSU run separated them.

FEU was able to bounce back by utilizing all their hitters, cutting the lead to two at 16-18, 18-20, and 20-22, but the deficit proved too much to overcome as they lost the frame, 21-25.

In the second set, a rough start plagued the Tamaraws as they only had half the points of the Green Spikers going into the first technical timeout, 4-8.

The green-and-gold squad was able to remain in the set through trading attacks, not letting the four-point lead grow until 12-16 at the next technical break.

Unfortunately, this play did not result on FEU inching closer to DLSU as they lost another set, 19-25.

The third frame mirrored the first with another 11-11 start, but the Morayta-based team changed the script as they were then on top before the pause, 16-14.

The Tamaraws' improvement and unpredictability on offense was evident as they tallied 19 attacks with all hitters accounting for at least two. This ballooned the lead enough for them to stay in the match, 25-21.

During the fourth set, the Ed Orcullo-led squad's offense took a step back despite the change of setters from Benny Martinez to Ariel Cacao midway. 

FEU's 0-4 block disadvantage also did not help, forcing Orcullo to sue for time at 13-18.

After another timeout at the 15-20 point, the Tamaraws were able to keep close distance, 18-21, which then forced the Green Spikers to call for their own break.

However, the said timeout was enough to fuel DLSU once more as FEU was unable to muster up a comeback effort, 20-25.

Middle blocker Lirick Mendoza was the second Tamaraw on the scoreboard with 11 points, followed by outside hitter Jelord Talisayan with 10.

In another interview, Orcullo shared a similar sentiment of dissatisfaction with Saavedra but also emphasized the new chance they will get in their do-or-die game on Friday, October 4.

“Pangit, syempre talo, eh. Pero ang sinasabi nga natin, may another opportunity na ibibigay sa’min sa Friday. Actually, wala namang problema matalo, eh, pero ‘wag naman sana matalo nang ‘di lumalaban, ‘di ba (Of course, it is bad because we lost. But as we say it, there’s another opportunity that will be given on Friday. Actually, there’s no problem with losing, but hopefully its not losing without putting up a fight)," he said.

The Tamaraws head coach then highlighted hard work instead of emotion as the key towards the V-League crown.

“Kailangan trumabaho, syempre, ano bang magagawa ng isang araw—’di ka naman mag-eensayo nang isang buong araw, eh… Kung magpapadala ka sa emosyon, walang mangyayari. Kailangan trabaho, hindi emosyon (We have to work, of course, what can one day really do—you won’t get better in one day anyway. If you let your emotions take over, nothing will happen. Focus on the work, not emotions)," Orcullo added.

The clincher where FEU will try to come out as champions will be held at the same venue.

(Photo by Karch Rafael/FEU Advocate)