The Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws continued to show their dominance after rubbing out the Adamson University (AdU) Soaring Falcons in three sets, 25-14, 25-23, 25-23, to maintain a solo lead in the rankings of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) season 81 men’s volleyball tournament, March 10, at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.

“Happy ako, happy ang team kasi nakakuha uli tayo ng panalo tapos sa Adamson [pa] (I am happy, and the team is happy because we were able to get another win, this time, against Adamson),” shared FEU head coach Rey Diaz about the result of the performance of his team.

Veteran middle blocker John Paul Bugaoan started the charge of the Morayta-based squad after registering back-to-back points courtesy of a single block and a quick hit to establish early momentum in the first set.

Crosscourt shot unleashed by skipper Richard Solis led FEU to the first technical timeout with the lead, 8-5. With full control of the first frame, the Tamaraws snatched the opening set in a dominating manner, 25-14.

​After a single block by RJ Paler to open the second set, the Tamaraws then committed a series of errors both from offense and defense. Three consecutive aces unleashed by Soaring Falcon Paolo Pablico caused the Tamaraws to trail in the early part of the set, 5-8.

FEU’s Jude Garcia and Peter Quiel, however, combined for crucial attacks to equalize the score at 16-all. FEU’s four-to-nothing run regained their momentum at the end part of the set, 21-17. Garcia’s back-to-back attacks ended the set to give FEU a commanding 2-0 lead.

​In the third set, both teams exchanged attacks to keep the score tight with Adamson reaching the first technical time out with a slim lead over FEU, 7-8. An off-the-block kill by Quiel followed by a single block by Solis matched the score count at 12-all.

A series of errors committed by Adamson topped with a kill block of Bugaoan gave FEU a slight cushion at 17-15.With both teams showing equal eagerness to get the set, the neck-and-neck battle between FEU and AdU continued after being tied at 21-all.

Garcia gave FEU the match point advantage at 24-22 but a service error by Kris Silang allowed Adamson to knock within one, 24-23. Peter Quiel ended the match with a solid block to give FEU its sixth straight win of the season.

​Solis and Garcia combined for 24 points while Bugaoan added 11 markers, four of which came from blocks. Paler and Quiel contributed nine and eight points, respectively, while setter Owen Suarez tallied 22 set and three points.

“Siguro kailangan pa ng team na i-polish ‘yung errors kasi based on stats, first set okay, pagdating ng second and third, dumami nang dumami ‘yung errors (I think the team needs to polish the errors because based on stats, the first set is okay but in the second and third, the errors increased),” Coach Diaz added.

FEU skipper Solis also echoed the statement of Diaz, saying: “Marami pa kaming dapat i-improve. Blockings, floor defense, ‘yung atake namin. Overall marami pa kaming dapat matutunan at i-improve para makuha pa naming ‘yung mga susunod na game (We have so much to improve. Blockings, floor defense, our offense. Overall there’s so much for us to learn and improve for us to get the upcoming games).”

With the win, the Tamaraws now hold a 6-0 win-loss record and will try to sweep the first round of eliminations as they take on the De La Salle University (DLSU) Spikers on March 16 at the same venue.

-Mark Steven V. Donque
(See full album: UAAP 81 Men’s Volleyball - FEU vs AdU)