UAAP men’s volleyball: FEU Tamaraws near first round sweep
FEU Tamaraws’ Mikko Espartero during a UAAP Season 87 men’s volleyball game against Adamson Falcons. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Far Eastern University closed in one a first-round sweep after weathering Adamson in an extended third set en route to the 25-23, 25-20, 31-29 win in the UAAP Season 87 men’s volleyball tournament on Saturday at Mall of Asia Arena.
After winning the first two sets, the Tamaraws needed to overcome an 8-15 start in the third and stop the Falcons from winning the set, 21-24.
FEU turned to Dryx Saavedra, Mikko Espartero, and substitute rookie Luis Miguel to force a deuce. Jude Aguilar kept Adamson afloat in the extended third only to commit a crucial attack error that put the former at match point, 30-29, before Doula Ndongala blocked Ahmed Tahiluddin for the win.
LIVE: UAAP Season 87 volleyball – La Salle vs UE, Adamson vs FEU
“We really had to rally from behind, but I saw that our team chemistry has developed, which is why we were able to catch up. This means the team is maturing,” said FEU assistant coach Rene Dulay.
FEU Tamaraws’ Vennie Ceballos during a UAAP Season 87 men’s volleyball game against Adamson Falcons. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
The Tamaraws can complete the first-round sweep next Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum when they collide with the De La Salle Green Spikers.
Saavedra powered FEU with 18 points on 14 attacks and four blocks. Espartero had 14 points on 11 spikes and three blocks, while Jelord Talisayan and Lirick Mendoza added eight each.
Adamson dropped to a 1-4 record with Aguilar leading the way with 16 points. Tahiluddin had 11 points, while Leo Coguimbal chipped in seven points.
SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 87 volleyball tournament first round
La Salle keeps UE winless
Meanwhile, La Salle turned to the trio of MJ Fortuna, Vince Maglinao, and Noel Kampton to beat the winless University of the East, 26-24, 25-13, 25-23.
Fortuna led the Green Spikers with a game-high 13 points on 10-of-20 spikes and three blocks along with five digs. Maglinao made his first double-digit game this season with 11 points on top of eight digs, while Kampton added eight in two sets played.
“”I’m just thankful because in the previous games, I wasn’t playing at my best. I’m grateful to the coaches for still giving me the chance to show my potential,” said Fortuna, a transferee from National University.
La Salle improved to a 3-2 record in solo fourth place, pouncing on UE, which missed main setter Andre Bicar due to sickness, as Dave Poquita suffered an apparent left foot injury, forcing spiker Steven Aligayon to play as setter.
“I just reminded the team that whatever the result may be, fight for it. Even if UE’s setter was no longer there, it doesn’t mean they would just give up the game, so I told them to keep on going,” said La Salle coach Jose Roque.
UE stayed winless in six outings with rookie Roy Piojo pacing the Red Warriors with 10 points. Newcomer Raquim Aceron had nine points, 11 receptions, and five digs.
