FAR EASTERN University knocked out De La Salle University, 25-21,19-25, 25-22, 25-22, to climb up the UAAP Season 85 men’s volleyball stepladder, Wednesday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Mark Calado hammered down 20 attacks to finish with 22 points and help as the Tamaraws kept their season alive.
Sealing a knockout match with the second-ranked University of Santo Tomas on Sunday, FEU has a chance to face National University for the second Finals stint in a row.
Team captain Jelord Talisayan and Zhydryx Saavedra each chipped in 12 points in the win. The former also collected 17 excellent receptions and seven excellent digs.
“Congratulations sa DLSU kasi ang galing nila. Congratulations din sa lahat ng players, ginawa nila ‘yung pinag-ensayuhan namin,” said Tamaraws head coach Rey Diaz.
“Talagang walang tumigil, ang ganda, ang sarap ng feeling na naglalaro kang sama-sama, sabay-sabay at tulong tulong,” he added.
De La Salle saw its first Final Four appearance in 10 years come to a quick end, but not without a fight.
The Green Spikers threatened to send the game to a decider, closing in on FEU after a Billie Anima quick, 21-22, in the fourth but Martin Bugaoan answered back with a quick of his own before Anima committed an attack error which placed the Tamaraws at match point.
Noel Kampton delivered a searing cross-court hit to keep La Salle alive but JJ Javelona immediately fired a cross-court hit to finish the game.
Benny Martinez tossed 21 excellent sets to go along with five points while Bryce De Guzman collected 22 excellent receptions and 14 excellent digs for the Morayta-based spikers.
On the other hand, Kampton paced the Green Spikers with 18 points on 16 attacks, an ace, and a block while JM Ronqullio added 17 markers on 15 attacks and two blocks.