By Aimerose C. Atienza

Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws added another win in their card after beating the University of the East (UE) Red Warriors, 25-21, 25-23, 23-25, 25-20, in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 85 men’s volleyball tournament held at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City earlier today, March 15.

The Morayta-based squad surpassed UE’s good floor defense after executing caliber offense to take the first and second set.

FEU struggled to stop the powerful attacks of UE as they trailed in the whole duration of the third set, 23-25.

The momentum continued on the Red Warriors’ side during the fourth set, but the green-and-gold spikers conducted a five-point run to gain the lead and secure their fourth straight victory, 25-20.

During the post-game conference, FEU Head Coach Rei Diaz Jr. commended the team because they managed to bag a win despite their tight schedules.

“More practice [pa] siguro kami. [Ang] maganda is nagdeliver pa rin ‘yung boys kahit tight ‘yung schedule nila (We need more practice. The good thing is the boys delivered even if they have a tight schedule),” he said.

Senior spiker Mark Calado had another stellar performance after delivering 23 points which makes him the leading scorer of the collegiate tourney with a total of 132 markers.

Two other Tamaraws chipped in double digits with Zhydryx Saavedra tallying 13 points and Martin Bugaoan producing 10 markers.

Calado also acknowledged the lapses of the team in their first round matchup against the Recto-based squad.

“Sobrang dami pa rin po naming kailangang ayusin kasi basag po, sa totoo lang, basag po talaga ‘yung laro namin ngayon (There are still a lot of things that we have to fix because it’s broken, to be honest, our play is broken),” Calado stated.

FEU now holds a 5-1 win-loss record to remain as the second-seeded team and will attempt to give the National University Bulldogs their first loss of the season on Saturday, March 18 at the same venue.

(Photo by Zedrich Xylak Madrid/FEU Advocate)