FEU Tamaraws’ Jayjay Javelona against La Salle defenders in the UAAP Season 86 men’s volleyball tournament. –UAAP PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Far Eastern University leaned on the trio of Dryx Saavedra, Jayjay Javelona, and Martin Bugaoan to withstand the gritty La Salle in five sets, 16-25, 25-21, 34-32, 20-25, 15-8, and keep the share of the lead in the UAAP Season 86 men’s volleyball tournament on Saturday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Javelona delivered the goods with 21 points including three blocks and three aces, while Saavedra and Bugaoan finished with 20 points each after giving the Tamaraws an 8-2 start in the fifth and never looked back to prevail after two hours and 22 minutes.
Setter Ariel Cacao had 24 excellent sets as FEU claimed its seventh win in eight games to tie defending champion National University.
SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 86 volleyball second round
“La Salle pushed us to our limits. It was anybody’s game,” said FEU coach Eddieson Orcullo in Filipino. “Thanks to La Salle for this great game. We saw the capacity of our team.”
Vince Maglinao carried La Salle in the fifth set and finished with 19 points and 11 excellent receptions. JM Ronquillo had 20 points. Noel Kampton contributed 19 points, while Billie Anima added 13.
The Green Spikers slid to a 5-3 record in third place.
Ateneo forces 3-way tie
Adamson Falcons’ Francis Casas in the UAAP Season 86 men’s volleyball tournament. –UAAP PHOTO
Meanwhile, Adamson opened its second-round campaign with a 25-17, 29-27, 25-22 victory over the University of the East to force a three-way tie at 4-4 with idle teams Ateneo and University of Santo Tomas.
Francis Casas led the Falcons with 21 points on 18 attacks, two blocks, and an ace. Dan Gutierrez delivered 11 points including the match-winning kill in just two sets played, while Jude Aguilar added nine points.
READ: UAAP men’s volleyball: FEU rebounds to beat Adamson
“This second round is very unpredictable because everyone has adjusted. Our goal is to treat every game as a must-win,” said Adamson coach George Pascua.
UE, which came from its breakthrough win last week, fell to a 1-7 card despite the efforts of Joshua Pozas and Shan Camaymayan, who had 11 points each.