FEU Tamaraws against UST Golden Spikers in UAAP Season 86 men’s volleyball.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Andrei Delicana and Jayjay Javelona carried Far Eastern University past gritty University of Santo Tomas, 28-26, 21-25, 21-25, 25-21, 15-12, to remain unbeaten in the UAAP Season 86 men’s volleyball tournament on Sunday at Mall of Asia Arena.
When UST tied the fifth set at 11-all, Delicana and Dryx Saavedra put FEU ahead followed by back-to-back errors from the Golden Spikers to prevail after a grueling two-hour and 30-minute match.
Delicana and Javelona scored 18 points each to lead the Tamaraws. Martin Bugaoan chipped in 16 points, while Saavedra added 13 points with setter Ariel Cacao orchestrating the balanced attack with 22 excellent sets on top of four points.
SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 86 volleyball first round
“I’m thankful to my teammates because everyone worked hard and showed their desire to win,“ said Cacao in Filipino after helping FEU improve to 4-0.
The Tamaraws had a wild celebration returning to their locker room. FEU coach Eddieson Orcullo lauded the character of his wards but he wants them to move on after 24 hours and prepare for National University (3-1) on Wednesday.
READ: FEU Tamaraws lone unbeaten team in UAAP men’s volleyball
Reigning UAAP MVP Josh Ybanez unleashed a season-high 30 points on top of 19 excellent receptions and four digs but UST dropped to a 2-2 record after a two-game skid.
Jayrack Dela Noche had 17 points for the Golden Spikers. Rainer Flor and Gboy De Vega chipped in 13 points each, while Popoy Colinares added 10.
Meanwhile, Jude Aguilar and Francis Casas dropped 14 points as Adamson swept the winless University of the East, 25-16, 25-20, 25-23, to improve to a 2-2 record tied with UST and Ateneo.
Rookie Joel Menor delivered 12 points, seven excellent receptions, and five digs for Adamson, which sent UE to a 0-4 record.
READ: UST Golden Spikers, FEU Tamaraws share early lead in UAAP volleyball
“We learned from our previous losses against La Salle and NU. We used it as motivation to improve and it materialized in this game,” said Adamson coach George Pascua in Filipino.
Aguilar tallied 14 points on 10-of-19 attacks and four blocks and collected five digs, while Casas also finished with 14 on 11 spikes and three rejections.
Joshua Pozas was the lone double-digit scorer for UE with 10 points.