FAR Eastern University bounced back from a tough five-set defeat the last time out as it thwarted University of Perpetual Help System DALTA, 25-22, 23-25, 25-16, 25-16, to get back into the thick of things in the V-League Men’s Collegiate Challenge at the Paco Arena in Manila yesterday.
The Tams toughened up on defense upfront to put one over the Altas, finishing with 13 blocks, including three from Lirick Mendoza and two from Dryx Saavedra.
“Yung kapit na pinakita namin nung dulo (against Ateneo), yun yung ginawa namin,” said FEU head coach Ed Orcullo, whose wards rallied from 2-0 set down to force a decider against the Ateneo Blue Eagles, only to lose momentum on shaky service reception and yield a 22-25, 23-25, 25-18, 25-23, 13-15 decision last Sunday.
“Yung blocking nilinis namin at yung depensa, Yun talaga yung inayos naming,” added Orcullo.
FEU thus tied its victim at 2-2 behind Ateneo’s unblemished 3-0 card with UST, National U and La Salle all toting 2-1 slates in the tournament organized by Sports Vision.
Saavedra took charge for FEU in the fourth that saw the Tams pull away from a tight 12-10 count on a decisive 13-6 with Mendoza ending the match with a kill block.
Saavedra added four digs on top of his 20-point explosion.
Klint Mateo, who did double duty in setting and spiking, paced the Altas with 13 points and three excellent sets while Mike Medalla and Jeff Marapoc added 10 markers each for the Las Piñas-based squad.
Games Friday
10 a.m. – San Beda U vs NU (men’s)
12 noon – Ateneo vs La Salle (men’s)
2 p.m. – Mapua vs SSC-R (women’s)
4 p.m. – Enderun vs St. Benilde (women’s)