Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws’ Mark Calado delivered 27 markers to defeat the Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU) Blue Eagles in four sets, 24-26, 25-15, 25-23, 27-25, in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 85 men's volleyball tournament held at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City earlier today, March 8. 

FEU had a sloppy start in the first set as they trailed by as much as seven points due to miscommunication plays and service errors despite early scoring outputs by Calado and Team Captain Jelord Talisayan, 24-26. 

The green-and-gold spikers corrected their course with Calado and CJ Cabatac combining for nine points en route to a 10-point lead second set win, 25-15.

The Talisayan-captained team continued to overwhelm the Blue Eagles, but AdMU forced a fourth-set scare that happened when Morayta-based libero Bryce De Guzman committed an error in receiving the opponent's service, tying the game at 24. 

FEU kept composure and scored three straight points capped off by Calado's match-point attack, 27-25.

In a post-game interview, Calado attributed his motivation to his coaches and their system as the reason why he is the second leading scorer in the tournament with 82 points, as of writing.

"Nagiging motivation ko po ngayon ‘yung coaches talaga, and ‘yung sistema na mayroon kami. Kasi hindi ko naman po makukuha lahat ng nga [points] na ‘yon kung hindi rin po kami magtutulungan as a team (My motivation right now is really the coaches and the system we have. I wouldn't be able to score all the points that I did if we didn't work together as a team)," he stated.

FEU Head Coach Rei Diaz Jr. also commended their team chemistry despite this  being the only tournament they have participated in.

"Mas maganda [ang chemistry]. Kaya lang, ano ba i-eexpect natin sa chemistry eh ito lang ang liga na sinalihan nila, unlike sa other teams na nagkaroon ng opportunity na maglaro sa labas… Ang goal naman namin excellent, everyday makikita namin kung ano kaya naming gawin (The chemistry’s been better. But what can expect from chemistry when this is the only league they participated in, unlike other teams that had the opportunity to play outside… Our goal is excellent, and everyday we will see what we're capable of doing)," he added.

Three Tamaraws also ended the game with double figures as Cabatac contributed 11 points, while Talisayan and Martin Bugaoan both had 10 markers.

FEU now stands with a 3-1 win-loss record and will face off the De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Spikers on Saturday, March 11 at the same venue.

-Andrei M. Barrantes

(Photo by Alyssa Andrea Quiogue/FEU Advocate)