Mark Calado celebrates during FEU’s win over UE in the UAAP Season 85 men’s volleyball tournament. UAAP PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Mark Calado sustained his stellar play to lift Far Eastern University to its fourth straight win, topping University of the East, 25-21, 25-23, 23-25, 25-20, in the UAAP Season 85 men’s volleyball tournament on Wednesday at Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
After back-to-back 27-point explosions in the past two games, Calado dropped 23 points built on 19 kills, three blocks, and an ace to keep the Tamaraws in second place with a 5-1 record.
However, the FEU leading scorer remained unsatisfied, saying they failed to apply their training against a gritty UE side, which pushed them to their limits every set of their one-hour and 54-minute game.
“We still have a lot of things to polish. Kasi sa totoo lang basag yung laro namin ngayon,” said Calado. “We didn’t apply our preparation for this game. We weren’t communicating well and we had lapses on the defensive end. Our opponents were also good.”
The Tamaraws tried to fight back from a 20-23 deficit in the third as Calado stopped the bleeding followed by Lloyd Josafat’s attack error to trim the deficit within one. Josafat put the Red Warriors at set point, 24-22 before JJ Javelona answered with his own attack, but UE setter Ralph Imperial sealed the frame with a 1-2 play.
FEU coach Rei Diaz told his wards to use what they did in practice to get their act together and pull away in the fourth.
“It was simple. I told the team to remember what we do in practice,” Diaz said. “The boys still delivered despite their tough schedule because it’s midterm week. They still did a good job.”
Dryx Saavedra also shone for FEU with 13 points. Martin Bugaoan chipped in 10 points including three blocks, while Herald Domingo and Jelord Talisayan added eight and seven, respectively, with the latter tallying 12 excellent receptions.
UE dropped its third straight game, sliding to a 2-4 card, despite JM Andaya’s 20-point effort off 15 attacks and five blocks.
Josafat registered 16 markers for the Red Warriors. Ken Culabat had 11 points and 15 receptions, while Giles Torres added 10.