Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Far Eastern University kept its Final Four campaign alive in the UAAP Season 79 men’s volleyball tournament after eliminating University of Santo Tomas in straight sets, 25-22, 27-25, 25-18, Wednesday at Filoil Flying V Centre.
The third-seeded Tamaraws overcame the fourth-seeded Growling Tigers in the first step-ladder game to set up a meeting with no. 2 National University, which has a twice-to-beat incentive, for the last finals berth.
Defending champion Ateneo got an automatic bye to the championship round by virtue of its 14-0 card.
Gregorio Dolor and Jude Garcia came up big for the Tamaraws as they finished with 13 and 12 points, respectively, while getting ample support from John Paul Bugaoan who had eight.
Tamaraws head coach Rey Diaz realized his team’s 25 errors were a little too many for his liking but said the number comes with the pressure of playing in the Final Four.
“Yeah those errors were a lot but this is the result when players are fighting the pressure of the game,” said Diaz. “Well at least they’ve experienced making those mistakes so that they will know what to do when it happens again in the future.”
UST skipper Arnold Bautista led his team with 12 points.
FEU libero Rikko Marmeto impressed in his defensive capacities when he finished with 17 excellent digs and 19 excellent receptions.