FEU secures top seed in UAAP men’s volleyball

FEU Tamaraws.–UAAP PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Far Eastern University clinched the top seed and a twice-to-beat bonus in the UAAP Season 86 men’s volleyball tournament after sweeping the University of the Philippines, 25-17, 25-22, 25-22, on Saturday at Philsports Arena.

FEU earned its eighth consecutive victory for a 12-1 record, becoming the No.1 seed for the first time in 12 years since Season 74 — the last time the Tamaraws won the men’s championship.

Andrei Delicana led the Tamaraws with 11 points with Ariel Cacao running the plays with 13 excellent sets. Dryx Saavedra had eight points, while Martin Bugaoan added seven points.

SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 86 volleyball second round

But clinching the No.1 seed doesn’t mean the job is done for FEU.

“Being the No.1 team is a tough position. Aside from working on our skills, we have to focus on improving our mental capabilities,” said FEU coach Eddieson Orcullo in Filipino.

The Fighting Maroons slid to a 1-12 record with Louis Gamban and Daniel Nicolas carrying the team with 10 and nine points, respectively.

Meanwhile, National University bounced back with a 25-19, 25-17, 25-16 rout of Adamson to recover from a tough four-set loss to La Salle last week.

READ: FEU Tamaraws close in on UAAP volleyball Final Four

Leo Aringo powered the Bulldogs with 14 points, while Nico Almendras backstopped him with 13 points to rise to a 10-3 record.

NU tries to clinch at least a playoff for a twice-to-beat spot against FEU on Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“We played well today. We were able to address our problems from our previous loss,” said NU coach Dante Alinsunurin.

Adamson absorbed its fifth straight loss with a 4-9 record as no one scored in double figures with Ahmed Tahiluddin having eight points.