By Aimerose C. Atienza

Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraw Martin Bugaoan attributed the FEU crowd as one of the key successes in their win against the Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU) Blue Eagles, 25-23, 25-22, 25-19, to conclude the round one eliminations of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 86 men’s volleyball tourney held at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City earlier today, March 17.

“Mas na-boost ‘yung morale namin kasi ‘yun nga, mas dumami ‘yung supporters namin, mas dumami ‘yung nanonood sa’min and dahil du’n, mas naging eager kami (Our morale was boosted, we have more supporters, we have more viewers, and because of that, we were more eager),” he said in a post-game conference.

The Blue Eagles drew first blood courtesy of an attack by Ryan Daculan, but FEU kept it close as outside hitter Dryx Saavedra tallied six attacks and a block point to close off the first frame.

Entering the second set, FEU’s playmaker Ariel Cacao managed to distribute the ball evenly by utilizing Saavedra, Bugaoan, Lirick Mendoza, Andrei Delicana to one point apiece.

The Morayta squad led by as many as eight points in the 21-13 rally. 

However, Ateneo orchestrated a seven-to-nothing run for a narrow one-point deficit, 21-20.

Bugaoan also made sure to keep the composure in order to take the set against AdMU.

“Noong naka-trend ng seven points ang Ateneo, ang nasa isip ko lang is mag-compose lang ulit kasi ‘yun naman ‘yung dapat gawin (When Ateneo made a trend of seven points, all I had in my mind was to compose myself again because that is what I should do),” he stated.

FEU maximized the six errors of the Blue Eagles to claim the second set by three points, 25-22.

During the third frame, the Tamaraws did not look back as they established 16 attack points to clinch the victory against the Blue Eagles.

Green-and-gold rookies Mendoza and Delicana also stepped up for the team as they made nine points and eight markers, respectively.

The Eddieson Orcullo-led squad closed the first round of eliminations at the top with a 6-1 win-loss record.

(Photo by Kayla Babista/FEU Advocate)