The FEU Tamaraws battled the NU Bulldogs in front of 5,000 fans at the Smart Araneta Coliseum for Game 1 of the UAAP Season 87 Finals.
The FEU Tamaraws didn’t have to look far for their source of inspiration as they mounted a comeback against four-time defending champions NU Bulldogs in Game 1 of their UAAP Season 87 finals series at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday.
Being a separate ticket offering from the women’s game that afternoon, the Tamaraws and Bulldogs faced off with a sizeable crowd in attendance, with more than 5,000 supporters from both teams filling the stands.
Having been on the lesser end of support for the past few years, fans were able to make a show of force for the Tams and Bulldogs.
While half of the arena was against them, FEU hitter Dryx Saavedra that there was something about the Tamaraws’ contingent in the stands that really helped them push through, even after going down one set twice in Game 1.
“Nakakataba ng puso talaga na makita 'yung crowd na sobrang puno eh, hanggang sa taas 'di mo makitaan ng space sobrang dami. Kaya kahit lamang 'yung kalaban kanina pag naka-score kami, grabe 'yung cheer eh,” Saavedra said.
“So 'yun talaga 'yung nakatulong sa'min na dapat 'di talaga namin mabigo 'yung mga sumusuporta samin.”
The women’s team themselves were court side cheering on their male counterparts, while alum RJ Abarrientos was also among the key personalities catching the action.
After experiencing a tough exit in the semifinals last year, Saavedra and FEU are determined to turn things around this time.
With one win already under their belt, they’re eager to continue keeping themselves together and hopefully give the FEU community their first taste at a UAAP men’s volleyball championship for the first time since UAAP Season 74.
“Kada timeout talagang pinag-uusapan [namin] magiging intact sa loob ng court kasi ['yun] 'yung challenge talaga kanina, 'di kami nagkakaintindihan, nagmamadali tsaka 'yung madadaling bola nai-error pa namin so talagang pinilit naming maging intact, 'yung communication namin sa loob, 'yung pagtutulungan talaga,” said Saavedra, who ended up with 25 points in the win.
“Sa'kin personally kasi good thing, nakapagisip ako nang maayos [eventually], alam ko naman talaga na best blocking team 'yung NU so buti naging effective 'yung inisip ko na way kung paano umatake, 'yung depensa, 'yung blockings.” he added.
Still, the job is only about halfway done as they’ll need to run it back and get the win all over again in Game Two to hopefully breakthrough.
FEU meets NU on Wednesday, 1:00 p.m., at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.