By Vince Matthew Jaramilla

Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws’ championship drought since Season 74 lives on as they succumbed to the National University (NU) Bulldogs in straight sets, 16-25, 26-28, 23-25, in game three of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 87 men’s volleyball finals earlier today, May 17, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

FEU Tamaraws head coach Eddieson Orcullo deviated from the green-and-gold squad’s recent starting lineups as he opted to play setter Benny Martinez and middle blocker Chad Absin over Ariel Cacao and Doula Ndongala, respectively.

Errors riddled the Tamaraws to start the first set. Dryx Saavedra’s four early kills were key in keeping the Bulldogs at bay, 8-7.

Unfortunately, NU’s net defense gave FEU trouble, resulting in a 9-15 separation and a change from Martinez to Cacao. The first-frame deficit proved too big for the latter squad to overcome, 16-25.

Attacking woes, spotty floor defense, and unforced errors continued to muck up the Morayta squad’s play in the following set, causing Coach Orcullo to burn both of their timeouts by 8-15.

With a 12-20 hill to climb, the Tamaraws managed to turn their attacking and blocking up a level to then cut the lead to one with a 7-0 run.

As both squads went back and forth, Saavedra went into overdrive with four attacks, but NU’s Jade Disquitado proved to be even more clutch as his three straight kills gave them the extended set win, 26-28.

FEU fought for momentum despite being down 0-2 in sets as Saavedra carried his firepower into the third frame, 16-13.

However, with a rookie-laden lineup going up against the then-four-peat champions, the Morayta squad struggled with inconsistency in the closing moments, ultimately falling at 23-25.

In the post-game conference, Coach Orcullo acknowledged the sadder outcome they got, but also highlighted the promising future of the team.

“Kulang ‘yung kasiyahan kasi hindi talaga namin nakuha ‘yung ‘Gold is the goal,’ ‘di ba? Pero masasabi ko, ang brighter ng future natin… Ang pinakamaganda na kuwento nun ay hindi kami titigil hangga’t ‘di namin nakukuha ‘yung gintong gusto namin (The joy is not enough because we didn’t fulfill the idea of ‘Gold if the goal,’ right? But I can say that our future is brighter… The best story there is that we won’t stop until we get the gold we want),” he said. 

Meanwhile, Saavedra expressed his pride for the squad, giving emphasis to the helpful experience they received.

“Unang-una, sobrang proud sa lahat na part ng team. Malaking bagay talaga ‘tong sa finals sa’min kasi halos lahat sa’min… puro rookies, eh. So good thing na maaga pa lang, may experience agad sa ganitong laruan (First of all, I’m so proud of everyone who's part of the team. This finals is a big thing because a lot of us are rookies. So it’s a good thing that as early as now, they gain experience at this level of play),” the opposite hitter stated.

Saavedra was the only Tamaraw in double digits with 24 points on 21 attacks and three blocks, exactly the same as the rest of the team’s combined scoring output.

For the now-five-peat champions, Finals Most Valuable Player and Bulldogs team captain Leo Aringo scored nine points with 10 excellent receptions, while Leo Ordiales had 13 markers on 10 attacks and three blocks.

With the silver finish, team captain Jelord Talisayan will not be graduating as a champion. He, along with fellow seniors Martinez and Cacao, is still in question whether he will stay with the team or forgo his remaining playing years.

(Photo by Aleena Louise Abad/FEU Advocate)