By MARK REY MONTEJO
Far Eastern University bucked a slow start and turned back La Salle, 24-26, 25-23, 25-19, 25-20, to punch a ticket to the finals in the UAAP Season 87 men’s volleyball at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Saturday, May 3.
Despite enjoying a twice-to-beat advantage in their semifinal matchup, the top-seeded Tamaraws wasted no time in reaffirming their mastery on the Archers to book their first finals appearance since 2019.
The Recto-based spikers also swept La Salle in their two elimination meetings.
Rookie Mikko Espartero displayed poise under pressure in leading the Tamaraws’ offensive rally by unloading all his 17 points on attacks, while Doula Ndongala added 17 points.
Lirick Mendoza also provided support with 14 points, while Zhydryx Saavedra and Amet Bituin chipped in 11 points apiece.
Noel Kampton and Rui Ventura posted 19 and 17 points, respectively, in a losing cause for the fourth-ranked La Salle.
With the win, FEU awaits the winner between the University of Santo Tomas and the five-peat-seeking National University after the Tigers edged the Bulldogs, 26-24, 27-25, 19-25, 25-18, to forge a sudden death in their semis pairing.
In a battle of last year’s finalists, the Golden Spikers shrugged off a third-set stumble and relied on unlikely hero Gboy de Vega to team up with Josh Ybañez to set up a rubber match against the Bulldogs on Wednesday, May 7, at the same venue.
The win also ended UST’s four-game losing skid to NU.
“Thankful ako kasi binigyan ulit ako ng chance ni coach na makabalik at ma-prove yung mga doubters ko na hindi ako makakatulong sa team,” De Vega said.
“I am very happy lang na nakapagcontribute ako sa maraming ways and I hope na mas mapagtrabahuan ko pa and mas mapag-ensayuhan ko pa para sa next game, mas okay ipakita ko and ng team namin,” he added.
Ybañez sizzled for the Tigers with 22 points on 19 attacks and three blocks, along with 16 excellent receptions, while Jay De La Noche and de Vega added 15 and 14 points, respectively.
Leo Aringo Jr. spearheaded NU with 18 points, but his efforts went for naught.
