Far Eastern University racked up its fourth straight win in the UAAP Season 85 men’s volleyball tournament, downing skidding University of the East in four sets, 25-21, 25-23, 23-25, 25-20, at the Filoil-EcoOil Centre in San Juan on Wednesday.
Unlike the second frame where the Red Warriors folded in the end, JM Andaya, Lloyd Josafat, and Kenneth Culabat came through in the clutch in the third to force an extension, 25-23.
But the Tamaraws did not allow themselves to play catch-up in the fourth. They went ahead early through the efforts of Dryx Saavedra and Mark Calado en route to the 25-20 clincher.
“Ang maganda nag-deliver pa rin ‘yung boys kahit na tight ‘yung schedule nila kasi midterms week. Galing pa rin ng boys,” said FEU head coach Rey Diaz.
The Tamaraws upped their record to 5-1 for solo second, while the Red Warriors absorbed their third consecutive loss to sink to 2-4 at sixth, just above winless Adamson University and University of the Philippines.
Calado led the way for FEU with 23 points on 19 attacks, three blocks, and a service ace. Saavedra and Martin Bugaoan provided the needed assistance with 13 and 10 points, respectively, while Herald Domingo and Jelord Talisayan chipped in eight and seven points.
Andaya was the high man for the Red Warriors with 20 points founded on 15 spikes and five blocks, while Josafat and Culabat made 16 and 11 points, respectively.
Both teams will be back on Saturday at the same venue as UE will open the day against University of Santo Tomas at 9 a.m. while FEU will cap it against reigning champion National University at 5 p.m.
Watch both games live on the UAAP Varsity Chann el (Ch. 263 HD). Available on Prepaid Loads 300 & up (valid for 30 days) or you can watch your favorite match-ups.