UAAP men’s volleyball: FEU ends finals drought, boots out La Salle
Mikko Espartero and the FEU Tamaraws knocked off La Salle Green Spikers in the UAAP Season 87 men’s volleyball Final Four.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
LIVE: UAAP Season 87 volleyball Final Four – NU vs FEU, La Salle vs UST
MANILA, Philippines — Far Eastern University returned to the UAAP men’s volleyball finals for the first time in six years.
The Tamaraws, who blew a twice-to-beat advantage last year as the No.1 seed, slayed the ghost of their past after ousting the La Salle Green Spikers, 24-26, 25-23, 25-19, 25-20, in the Season 87 Final Four on Saturday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Last year’s heartbreak fueled FEU to push harder, winning 13 of their 14 elimination round games this year, and didn’t waste its twice-to-beat advantage against La Salle to return to the finals for the first time since Season 81 in 2019.
READ: UAAP: FEU claims top seed, downs La Salle in Final Four preview
FEU coach Eddieson Orcullo, Dryx Saavedra, Mikko Espartero, Ariel Cacao, and Doula Ndongala celebrate their finals entry. #UAAPSeason87 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/vlr31DrRvH
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“What happened last season, when UST beat us twice. Those losses showed on our faces every day. We couldn’t shake it off. But what happened in Season 86 became our motivation. That’s what we held on to [this year],” said FEU coach Eddieson Orcullo.
FEU started off on the wrong foot, dropping the opening set, but first-year spiker Mikko Espartero and Doula Ndongala came to the rescue with 17 points each to become the first team to reach the finals this season.
The Tamaraws eye their first title in 14 years against the winner of defending champion National University and University of Santo Tomas, who will clash in a rubber match on Wednesday.
The best-of-three UAAP finals series opens on Sunday at the same venue.
“We’re extremely happy because we secured a spot in the Finals—that’s the most important thing. But this joy, you know, you have to balance it carefully because it’s not over yet. We still have a game to play. So, whether it’s tomorrow or even later today, we’ll start preparing for whoever advances between the two teams,” said Orcullo.
READ: UAAP: FEU nears top seed, UST bolsters Final Four bid
Ndoungala dropped 12 spikes, four blocks, and an ace for his career-high, while Espartero also scored 17 with 15 excellent receptions.
“I am very emotional for this game because FEU did not qualify for the Finals for a long time, today we finally did,” said the Congolese middle blocker.
Lirick Mendoza had 14 points off nine attacks and five blocks. Dryx Saavedra and Amet Bituin had 11 points each, as setter Ariel Cacao dished out 31 excellent sets.
La Salle placed fourth for the third straight season with Noel Kampton, Vince Maglinao, Menard Guerrero, Gene Poquita, and Nathaniel Del Pilar playing their final UAAP game.
Kampton gave his all with 19 points and 19 excellent receptions, while Rui Ventura backstopped him with 17 points.
