UAAP men’s volleyball: FEU returns to finals, hurdles Ateneo challenge
FEU Tamaraws celebrate after beating the Ateneo Blue Eagles in the UAAP Season 88 men’s volleyball Final Four.–UAAP PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—A win short of claiming last year’s UAAP men’s volleyball crown, Far Eastern University will get its shot at redemption after booking a return trip to the finals.
The top-seeded Tamaraws secured the first finals berth, surviving Ateneo, 25-20, 20-25, 16-25, 25-17, 15-12, at the start of the UAAP Season 88 men’s volleyball Final Four on Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
READ: UAAP men’s volleyball: FEU Tamaraws secure top seed
The FEU Tamaraws are back to the #UAAPFinals after defeating Ateneo in five sets.
They await the winner of the other Final Four matchup between UST and NU. #UAAPSeason88 @inquirersports pic.twitter.com/xdFEccoKYc
— Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) April 29, 2026
“All I can say is, although we expected this kind of a fight here in the semis, this is the UAAP after all, we knew it wasn’t going to be easy,” said coach Eddieson Orcullo, whose squad lost to National University in the championship round last season.
“I tip my hat to coach Vince (Mangulabnan). We really saw and felt their (Ateneo) adjustments and all I can say is, I can see why he’s a respected coach. We know we have to pay more attention to our players.”
After being down two sets to one, the Tamaraws responded and forced a decider against the four-seeded Blue Eagles.
READ: UAAP men’s volleyball: FEU claims twice-to-beat, NU nears bonus
The back-and-forth continued in the fifth set with FEU banking on Amet Bituin to put away Ateneo. Bituin, who scored 12, delivered the match’s last two points to propel the Tamaraws back into the finals.
Dryx Saavedra finished with 14 points for the Tamaraws while Lirick Mendoza and Mikko Espartero chipped in 12 points each. Ariel Cacao orchestrated 26 excellent sets.
Okeke gave his all for Ateneo with a game-hgh 24 points, while Ken Batas had 15 and Jian Salarzon tallied 12.
