By Vince Matthew Jaramilla

Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws outside hitter Jelord Talisayan and middle blocker Charles Absin acted as game-changers to conquer the Colegio de San Juan de Letran (CSJL) Knights, 26-24, 22-25, 25-19, 29-27, in the 2024 V-League Men’s Collegiate Challenge earlier today, September 1, at the Paco Arena in Manila City.

Team captain Talisayan led the Tams’ scoring with 15 points while Best Player of the Game Absin served as a “magic bunot” as he entered the 10-6 mark of the third set delivering two attacks, three blocks, and an ace during crucial moments of the match.

In a post-game interview with FEU Advocate, Talisayan mentioned his pride in the ability of his bench teammates like Absin to contribute whenever needed.

“As a team captain, sobrang nakaka-proud. Kung sino mang ipasok sa game, alam ko at ng coaches na magpe-perform ‘yan. Hindi lang si Charles Absin, may mga [player] pa kami na kaya pang ilabas ‘yung full potential ‘pag nabigyan ng playing time (As a team captain, I’m very proud. Whoever is put into the game, the coaches and I know that they will perform well. Besides Charles Absin, we have more players that can show their full potential when they are given playing time),” he stated.

The two teams went on a seesaw affair until midway through the first set when the scoreboard showed a 13-all deadlock. FEU then produced a 3-0 run to lead going into the second technical timeout, 16-13.

Later in the frame, the Tamaraws seemed to already have the momentum in their hands, 22-18, but a 0-4 slump led to another tie at 22-all and a green-and-gold timeout.

Off the break, another tight exchange would take place, only to be finished by attacks from opposite spiker Dryx Saavedra and Talisayan after the deuce to bring a 1-0 match lead to the Morayta squad, 26-24.

In the next frame, FEU imposed their strength with a 9-2 attack advantage before the second technical timeout, but the 2-10 error and 0-2 service ace disparities offset this to give Letran the lead, 13-16.

The Ed Orcullo-led squad managed to minimize their errors after the rest, even cutting the lead to one at 21-22, but Letran’s momentum was too much to handle, 22-25.

Unlike the first two sets, the third set started well for the Tamaraws as they took an early 8-4 advantage behind Talisayan’s three early blocks.

With the newly subbed-in Absin and FEU executing elite net defense, the rookie-laden team totaled eight blocks to CSJL’s one to take the third set, 25-19.

The momentum would switch once again in the fourth frame despite the Morayta squad’s starters coming back in the court, 10-16. 

Fortunately, Saavedra fired up four attacks to lead FEU back in the set at a 20-20 tie.

In the final stretch, the Tamaraws had to spend both of their set timeouts as they failed to secure the lead. 

The green-and-gold squad ultimately came out victorious despite multiple deuces through each player’s timely performance and a successful net touch challenge, 29-27.

With another win, the Tamaraws improve to a 5-1 win-loss record to achieve the solo one seed.

As they move onto their next games, Talisayan shared the need for more consistency from the team.

“[Kailangan] ‘yung consistency kasi every game, nagbabago ‘yung tempo namin, eh. ‘Yun ‘yung need pa naming i-focus sa darating pa naming trainings at games (We need more consistency because every game, our tempo changes. That’s what we need to focus on in our upcoming trainings and games),” the Tamaraw captain stated.

FEU will look to finish the elimination round strong as they match up against Emilio Aguinaldo College next Sunday, September 8, in the same venue.

(Photo courtesy of V-League)