RAGING TAMARAWS: FEU overpowers UP in UAAP ‘volley’

Far Eastern University (FEU) asserted its dominance in both the men’s and women’s divisions, turning back the University of the Philippines (UP) in a pair of hard-fought matches to strengthen their respective Final Four bids in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 87 volleyball tournament on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

In the women’s division, the Lady Tamaraws avenged their first-round loss to the Fighting Maroons with a gutsy 25-21, 25-16, 14-25, 26-24 victory, tying the University of Santo Tomas (UST) for third at 7-4. FEU, however, holds the edge in the tiebreaker after defeating UST earlier this season.

The crucial win pushed UP down to fifth place at 5-6, two games off the Final Four pace.

The Lady Tamaraws looked poised for a straight-sets win after taking a quick two-set lead, but UP roared back in the third behind strong performances from outside hitter Joan Monares and American middle blocker Kassy Doering.

The Maroons built a commanding 19-8 lead and never looked back to force a fourth set.

FEU, determined not to fall victim again to its first-round tormentor, surged to a 12-3 start in the fourth. But UP responded with a fiery 17-4 run sparked by Kianne Olango and Julia de Leon’s timely efforts, grabbing a 20-16 lead.

The Tamaraws then dug deep, with Faida Bakanke, Chenie Tagaod and Jazlyn Ellarina taking charge to reach match point at 24-22.

UP again tied it at 24-all behind Irah Jaboneta and Doering, but a costly attack error by Olango and a clutch block by Tin Ubaldo on Monares sealed the win for FEU.

Bakanke finished with 20 points to lead FEU, while Tagaod and Gerzel Petallo chipped in 14 points apiece.w

UP’s Olango, Monares, and Jaboneta each scored 13 points in the losing effort.

The Lady Tamaraws will next face Ateneo de Manila University on Wednesday at the Philsports Arena, while UP will try to bounce back against De La Salle University next Sunday at the Big Dome.

In men’s play, the Tamaraws weathered a gallant stand by the Fighting Maroons to eke out a pulsating 25-19, 25-21, 20-25, 29-31, 15-12 win and became the first team to clinch a Final Four berth.

Coming off a heartbreaking five-set loss to National University (NU) last weekend, FEU regrouped behind Dryx Saavedra’s 29-point explosion to improve to a league-best 10-1 record.

Mikko Espartero added 16 points on 12 attacks, three blocks, and an ace, while Lirick Mendoza and Congolese reinforcement Doula Ndongala chipped in 15 points apiece.

The loss dropped UP to 3-8, officially eliminating the Fighting Maroons from Final Four contention along with University of the East (UE) and Adamson.

Raheem Olayemi led UP with 25 points, while rookie Tommy Castrodes added 17 points on top of 19 excellent receptions. Angelo Lipata and Angelo Aballe also delivered solid games in the losing cause.

Meanwhile, four-time defending champion NU continued its march toward the semifinals with a swift 25-17, 25-16, 25-15 demolition of also-ran Adamson.

The Bulldogs improved to 9-2 behind their third straight win and are now one victory away from securing a Final Four seat for the ninth consecutive season. They aim to punch their ticket when they face the winless UE squad on Wednesday at the Philsports Arena.