By MARK REY MONTEJO
Far Eastern University flexed its might and dumped University of the East, 25-16, 25-23, 25-19, for its best start in six years in the UAAP Season 87 men’s volleyball tournament at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City Wednesday, March 5.
The Tamaraws successfully fired from all cylinders with everybody contributing to the cause to dodge the upset bid of the Recto-based squad which put up a gallant stand in the second set.
The win was FEU’s fifth straight, thus matching its impressive start in 2019. The Tamaraws are only undefeated squad.
As expected, Benny Martinez anchored FEU’s onslaught with 10 excellent sets that enabled Mikko Espartero and skipper Jelord Talisayan to fire away eight and seven points, respectively
John Aligayon and Raquim Aceron combined for 24 points for UE in a losing cause.
“Actually, tuloy-tuloy lang ‘yong ginagawa namin [na] hindi kami nagsta-stop. ‘Yong mga struggles, I think na-overcome na namin, especially yung mga nagkasakit,” said assistant coach Rene Dulay.
“Ang tingin namin, with a combined team effort, malaking factor ‘yon kasi with a 5-0 record, we’re still pushing para mas gumanda pa ‘yong performance namin in the next games,” he added.
Meanwhile, University of Santo Tomas extended its own winning run to four after by pulling off a 25-18, 25-19, 25-11 win over University of the Philippines.
The Golden Spikers, hardly missing the absence of back-to-back UAAP MVP Josh Ybañez, improved to 4-1.
Jan Macan carried the load for the España-based crew with 15 points built on 10 attacks, two blocks, and three aces while Jay De La Noche and Ed Colinares tallied 14 apiece.
UP dropped to1-4 at seventh while UE remained winless in five games.
