By Angel Joyce C. Basa

Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws enforced dominance to seal Final Four appearance against the Adamson University (AdU) Soaring Falcons, 25-17, 25-17, 25-22, in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 86 men’s volleyball tourney earlier today, April 9, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

The Tamaraws asserted power against the Falcons from the first set with 13 attacks, three blocks, and an ace, resulting in an 8-point advantage to close the set, 25-17.

After claiming the first set, the green-and-gold team continued to topple AdU with the same set of attacks and blocks but with more advantage out of the opponent’s errors.

Third set was a close fight for both teams after exchanging attacks but Vincent Nadera’s score off of the bench clinched the match, 25-22.

FEU Head Coach Eddieson Orcullo shared in a post-game conference how they managed to beat Adamson by learning about their game-plan.

“‘Yung nangyari sa Adamson na game, talagang inaral namin [nang] maigi ‘yun eh kasi ‘yung coaching staff nila sasabihin natin na, ang hirap talunin ni Coach George [Pascua] eh, tapos syempre ‘yung mga techniques and tactics niya talagang inaral talaga namin maigi para makuha namin ‘yung match today (With the Adamson game, we really studied them because their coaching staff is hard to beat, especially Coach George, and we also really studied their techniques and tactics so we can get today's match),” he said.

Ariel Cacao was hailed Player of the Game after producing 17 excellent sets and an attack to sway the win in straight sets.

He shared how his teammates boosted his confidence in setting through good receptions and proper transition.

“Mataas kasi ‘yung kumpyansa ko sa mga gagawin kong sets eh, kasi alam ko na ma-rereceive agad nang maayos ng teammates ko, even sa transition, alam ko na sasakto sa akin ‘yung bola (I have high confidence with the sets I make, because I know that my teammates will receive the ball well, even with the transition, I know that I am in the exact position as the ball),” Cacao stated.

The Morayta-based squad now sits at a 9-1 win-loss record at the top of the barrel and will face the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Golden Spikers on Saturday, April 13, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.

(Photo by Ralph Mari Castro/FEU Advocate)