FEU perseveres through bug in securing victory over Ateneo

c/o UAAP Media Team

Games on Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena

10 a.m. - UE vs FEU (Men)

12 p.m. - UP vs UST (Men)

2 p.m. - UE vs FEU (Women)

4 p.m. - UP vs UST (Women)

Far Eastern University, battling sickness all week long, showed no signs of weakness as it repulsed Ateneo de Manila University in a grueling four-set clash, 25-23, 32-30, 23-25, 25-15, to remain unbeaten in the UAAP Season 87 Men’s Volleyball Tournament at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday.

Members of the Tamaraws’ squad suffered sickness over the past week with some having to be isolated for three days before returning to practice while their head coach, Eddieson Orcullo, called the shots using crutches as he underwent operation for his left achilles.

Despite all it went through the past week, FEU showed resiliency as it rebounded from a third set loss to prevail in two hours and two minutes.

“Actually, nag-undergo ang team sa struggle these past few days. May mga nagkasakit talaga pero nevertheless, with the guidance ni Lord, tapos ‘yung support sa amin, talagang ipinakita namin na kailangan namin itong game na ito kasi kung magpapabaya kami sayang ‘yung 3-0 standing namin,” said FEU deputy coach Rene Dulay.  

In the extended second set, the Blue Eagles unwillingly helped the Tamaraws’ cause as they committed four errors down the stretch while Mikko Espartero and Dryx Saavedra delivered the goods to give FEU a 2-0 set lead, 32-30.

But Ateneo displayed its grit in the third, holding on in another close frame as Amil Pacinio and Kennedy Batas drilled the hits that sent the match to a fourth stanza, 25-23.

FEU was unmoved, though, after giving up the third, breaking away in the fourth with Doula Ndongala and Saavedra at the forefront in their strong 17-10 start to improve to 4-0 in the standings after two hours and two minutes of action.

“Nung natalo kami nung third set I think nagrelax kami. Nawala ‘yung composure ng team pero napagusapan ng grupo na ibalik ‘yung ginawa ng first two sets and nameet naman nila ‘yun,” shared Dulay.

Espartero led FEU with 21 points on 18-of-36 spikes, two blocks, and one ace while also shining defensively with 11 excellent receptions and six digs.

Saavedra added 21 points on 15 attacks, five blocks, and an ace, while Congolese middle blocker Ndongala made 10 points on four blocks.

The Tamaraws took advantage of their height with a 16-8 lead in the blocking department while also getting aid from the Blue Eagles, who committed 33 errors compared to their 26.

FEU looks to maintain its spotless record on Wednesday when it matches up with University of the East at the same arena.

The Blue Eagles, meanwhile, dropped to an even 2-2 slate, joining the De La Salle Green Spikers for fourth.

Batas continued his stellar showing in the losing cause, tallying 22 points, 19 excellent receptions, and four digs, while Jettlee Gopio and Brian Castro got 12 points apiece.

Ateneo’s next game would be next Sunday against University of Santo Tomas, also at the MOA Arena.