By Vince Matthew Jaramilla

Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws showcased their bench prowess and unity to triumph over the Adamson University (AdU) Soaring Falcons, 25-23, 25-20, 31-29, in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 87 men’s volleyball tournament earlier today, March 8, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

FEU setter Benny Martinez was quick to activate all his fellow starters with each one already scoring at 11-8.

After a tight bout until 17-17, the Tamaraws’ edge in attacking thwarted any comeback attempts from the Falcons to carry them to the set win, 25-23.

The Eddieson Orcullo-led squad maintained their shared offense in the second set through setter Ariel Cacao, but errors loosened their grip on the momentum. As a result, Orcullo switched up their look by subbing in spiker Amet Bituin for Mikko Espartero.

Mirroring the prior frame, the set was neck-and-neck, 18-18, until the green-and-gold spikers dominated with their superior play on each side of the ball, 25-20.

Errors riddled FEU once again in the third set, causing Coach Ed to sue for time at 7-11 and sub in rookie Luis Miguel for captain Jelord Talisayan. Unfortunately, AdU’s momentum only inflated the deficit to 8-15 right after.

Facing the game-high lead, the Tamaraws cleaned up their play to catch up only to face another barrage from the Falcons, 21-24.

Despite the set almost out of their hands, the Morayta squad pulled through to an extended match win with Miguel’s steady serving, Vennie Ceballos’s floor defense, and their signature shared offense led by Cacao, 31-29.

In the post-match press conference, FEU assistant coach Rene Dulay attributed their third-set comeback to the team’s chemistry and maturity.

“Malayo talaga ‘yung hinabol naming points [sa third set]. ‘Yung team chemistry ang na-develop namin nang maigi kaya nakahabol kami. Ibig sabihin, ‘yung team, nagma-mature na… That’s why nakuha namin ‘yung third set na ‘yun (The deficit we had to surmount in the third set was really big. We were able to come back due to the team chemistry we developed well. That means that the team is maturing… That’s why we got that third set),” he said. 

Player of the Game (POG) Dryx Saavedra then mentioned how the team played as one in order to handle the pressure.

“Sa situation kasi na ‘yun, talagang ramdam ko na parang iisa lang kami ng iniisip, eh. Kahit malayo ‘yung lamang, naisip ko na makukuha namin ‘to… Good thing na naging matured. ‘Di gaanong naatake ng pressure ‘yung lahat (In that situation, I felt like we were all thinking the same thing. Even if the deficit is big, I thought that we could still get it… It’s a good thing that we were mature. We did not all fold against the pressure),” the opposite hitter added.

A total of 12 Tamaraws saw the floor against Adamson with seven out of eight hitters getting at least three points of their own.

Hitters Saavedra and Espartero led this scoring, with 18 and 14 points, respectively, while Cacao totaled 15 excellent sets.

Considering the rookies’ help in bolstering their bench, the POG spoke with pride for their constant readiness to contribute.

“Talagang unang pagpasok pa lang nila sa team, masasabi mong ‘super rookie.’ Kahit anong situation sa game, maaasahan… Nakaka-proud kasi kung kailan kailangan sila, talagang pumupukpok sila para mabuhayan ulit ‘yung team (When they first came into the team, you could call them ‘super rookies.’ No matter the game situation, they’re reliable. I feel proud because whenever they’re needed, they push hard to give life to the team),” Saavedra stated.

Remaining undefeated after six games, the Tamaraws will aim to sustain their record in their final game of round one against De La Salle University next Saturday, March 15, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

(Photo by Karch Rafael/FEU Advocate)