The FEU Tamaraws would not let another opportunity to make the UAAP Finals slip away, knocking out the DLSU Green Spikers from the Season 87 Final Four.
The FEU Tamaraws are heading back to the UAAP men’s volleyball Finals for the first time since 2019.
Motivated by their collapse against UST in last year’s Final Four, the top-seeded Tamaraws made sure lightning wouldn’t strike twice in Season 87.
Exorcising the demons of the Season 86 meltdown, FEU powered past the DLSU Green Spikers for a 24-26, 25-23, 25-19, 25-20 victory at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Saturday, May 3.
“’Yung nangyari kasi nung last season na dalawang beses tinalo ng UST, every day, naka-rub sa mukha namin ’yun,” coach Eddieson Orcullo said during the post-game press conference. “’Yun ang naging motivation. Ngayon, lahat naka-lock in—coaches, players, lahat.”
The Tamaraws bounced back from a narrow first-set loss, using poise and control the rest of the way to claim the victory.
A balanced outing powered FEU to victory with Doula Ndongala delivering a complete performance of 17 points on 12 attacks, four blocks, and an ace. Mikko Espartero matched his output with 17 of his own.
Lirick Mendoza contributed 14 markers, as Dryx Saavedra and Amet Bituin added 11 each in the win.
“Off-season pa lang, binuo na talaga namin ’yung relationship ng bawa't isa,” said Saavedra. “Isang landas, kaya yan nga, nakuha namin ngayon sa loob ng court pa kasi, sobrang, ano, ah, nagtutulungan lahat and ginagawa yung part nila.”
Despite a 19-point effort from Noel Kampton, the Green Spikers couldn't keep pace after a promising start.
Now in the championship round, FEU awaits the winner of the NU vs UST semifinal showdown as they aim to end a 13-year title drought.
[ALSO READ: Belief propels UST to Final Four do-or-die vs 5-peat seeking NU: 'We know na beatable sila']
The Tamaraws, aiming for a record 26th championship, will look to bring home their first UAAP title since Season 74 in 2012.