MANILA, Philippines — Far Eastern University withstood a furious fightback by fierce rival University of Santo Tomas, 25-23, 26-24, 22-25, 22-25, 17-15, Wednesday in the UAAP Season 75 men’s volleyball tournament at the Arena in San Juan.
John Ian Depamaylo scored FEU’s final three points to help the Tamaraws overcome UST, which got to within match point twice, 14-13 and 15-14.
Depamaylo, who scored 13 points, started his end-game scoring spree after converting off the block that knotted the deciding set for the ninth time, 15-all.
He came through again after a long rally before sealing FEU’s ninth win off another kill.
Mark Alfafara erupted for a game-high 27 points, including a hit that sent the Golden Spikers on the hill, 15-14.
Skipper Salvador Depante, who added 16 points, brushed off an FEU wall that brought UST to within a point of completing its comeback, 14-13, after Jason Sarabia tied the match at 13.
Romnick Rico also had 16 markers for UST but had a crucial service error that allowed FEU to knot the count at 14.
The Tamaraws, who tied National Univeristy in first place at 9-1, looked well on their way to blowing out the Tigers early in the last set as they zoomed to a quick 4-0 lead after denying Alfafara’s attempt.
But a couple of errors allowed UST, which joined De La Salle in fourth place with a 5-5 record, to recover and tie the game on one of six aces by Alfafara, who also had six blocks.
Karl Ian dela Calzada unloaded an FEU-high 21 points while Arvin Avila churned out 12 points.
UST found its groove after thanks to its defense as it figured out FEU’s attacks but blown chances in the end caused the Tigers a game that would’ve put them in third place with Adamson.